Best Foot Forward

Crown Paints is a leading UK producer of paints and coatings, and the company commissioned BFF to develop an integrated sustainability strategy to maximise the eco-efficiency of its operations. BFF worked closely with the R&D team at Crown Paints to investigate the full product lifecycle and identify opportunities for reducing the carbon and ecological footprints of its leading products. Our study considered emissions across the production process including raw materials, energy, packaging, and transport, as well as how paint use by consumers can be optimized. The results from the study are forming the basis to Crown Paints’ future approach to sustainability.

California-based Fetzer Vineyards commissioned BFF to compare the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions associated with manufacturing and transporting existing bottles (2008) against the manufacturing and transport emissions of new, lightweight bottles (2009). The results from the analysis show that there will be greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction of about 14% or 2,985 US tons CO₂e from switching to lighter glass bottles in 2009.

Ecover are a leading company in the field of sustainability and wished to conduct detailed ecological footprints of three of their leading products: washing powder, washing up liquid and toilet cleaner. Ecover appointed us to undertake both ecological and carbon footprints of the full product lifecycles including raw materials, manufacture and distribution. We also provided a broader sustainability assessment, and together the results from these reports are being incorporated into Ecover’s constantly evolving sustainability strategy.

Connection launched the new IS chair which maximises recycled content, and has an extended warranty to increase the effective asset life. Our carbon and ecological footprint assessment showed these design changes markedly reduce the footprint compared to a typical office chair.

The carbon dioxide emissions from paper production and distribution are well known, but how do these compare with emissions from the electronic delivery of scientific journals? BFF worked with Reed Elsevier to compare delivery channels for 'Fuel' journal and help inform the company's future publishing strategies. One of the findings was that end user behaviour is critical to the overall impact, but as yet very limited data exists on this aspect of publishing.

The Centre for Reuse & Remanufacturing commissioned us to compare the carbon footprints of refilling cartridges compared to replacement with new equivalents. We looked at the full lifecycle, and found that refilling is the better option. The full report is available by contacting the Centre directly.

There has been significant interest and debate in the process of remanufacturing - or 'retreading' - vehicle tyres. We were commissioned by the government-funded Centre for Reuse & Remanufacturing to analyse the retreading of light commercial vehicle tyres. The study considered material inputs, manufacturing energy, distribution and end-of-life for both tyre types. The results showed retreading is more carbon efficient. The full report is available by contacting the Centre directly.

Councils in the UK are under pressure to increase their operating efficiency. The Department for Communities and Local Government commissioned us to assess council services and compare the carbon footprints of electronic and other information delivery channels by Sunderland City Council. The results demonstrated that electronic delivery is more carbon efficient, and extrapolating the findings estimated potential annual savings of up to 14,000t carbon dioxide if all councils moved towards electronic delivery.

We have worked with Pacific Interiors on a number of footprinting projects, and this tool presents some of our findings in a simple, engaging interface. The calculator helps users understand the environmental significance of refit frequencies, asset lifespans and operational efficiencies.

The environmental impact of FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) packaging is often scrutinised. Wine bottles are one of the heaviest packaging items, so some retailers are moving to PET in an effort to reduce product weight. Our work for WRAP assessed the carbon balance of glass and PET wine bottles filled in the UK. There are a number of variables which determine the overall carbon efficiencies, and are all detailed in the publicly available report.

Duchy Originals is a market leader in responsible food production. BFF was contracted to supplement their existing work by calculating the ecological footprint of several of their products, and identify 'hotspots' where the largest impacts lie. BFF has also been working with Duchy Originals to further incorporate sustainability across their business.

FIRA is one of the leading trade associations for the furniture industry. BFF was commissioned to develop ‘Furniture Footprinter’ – an easy-to-use web-based tool which allows manufacturers to calculate the carbon and ecological footprints of their products. Furniture Footprinter covers the full lifecycle of products and can be used as a design-support tool.

Fitting out commercial and retail spaces has been identified as highly resource intensive. We worked with Pacific Interiors to assess the material flows, transport and energy demands of these activities and so derive the footprint for an office fit-out. The analysis suggested ‘lower carbon’ fit-out options where savings could be made.

Orangebox was ahead of the curve in recognizing the importance of minimising the carbon intensity of its products. In 2006 we worked closely with the production team to assess the carbon and ecological footprints of a range of chairs, and we ran scenarios on possible reduction opportunities from material substitution. Further work included the implementation of a workshop for sharing knowledge between Orangebox staff and suppliers, BFF, and specialist eco-designers.