SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT

The Oak & Rope Company: Social and Environmental Performance Report 2024

Overview

In 2024, The Oak & Rope Company committed to enhancing its social and environmental performance by aligning with our overriding ethos of #wemakethethingswewishexisted. This report outlines our actions, progress, and future goals in areas of social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

Social Performance

1. Ethical Labour Practices
   • Supplier Standards: All suppliers were audited bi-annually to ensure compliance with international labour laws. No instances of child labour or unfair wages were reported. This was also paramount for our inclusion at The Chelsea Flowershow 2024.
   • Employee Well-being: Enhanced workplace safety measures were implemented, resulting in a further increase in employee satisfaction. Regular training sessions on health and safety were conducted. The team continue to be committed to making ongoing changes.
2. Community Engagement
   • Local Employment: Increased local job opportunities.
   • Charitable Contributions: Supported local schools and craftsmanship programs with donations and workshop.
   • Education: We have donated post-production waste to local community project/forrest school, enabling children to experience the joy of making in a safe outdoor educational setting outside of regular school.

Environmental Performance

1. Sustainable Sourcing
   • Material Procurement: More than 95% of oak used was certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ensuring sustainable sourcing practices.
2. Waste Management
   • Production Waste: Reduced production waste by 30% through the introduction of more efficient manufacturing processes and recycling systems.
   • Packaging Innovation: Launched a new line of biodegradable packaging materials, reducing plastic use by 50%.
3. Carbon Footprint Reduction
   • Energy Efficiency: Reducing the running time of high energy consuming machinery. Upgrading old machines to more efficient ones.
   • Eco-friendly Logistics: Partnered with a DHL's carbon-neutral logistics provider, achieving a reduction in transportation emissions.
4. Sponsorship of Internship program.

   Through the charity Big Blue Foundation we sponsored a university student to spend 6 months in Portugal learning how to make use of post-production waste. The program is ongoing and based on this internship the charity is now able to make this STEM-program available to schools in our local area.

5. Scientific review of our waste sawdust to assess suitability for using our sawdust in the growing of mycelium and using sawdust with eco resin. This is an area we will explore more when we relocate to our new location in 2025.

Future Goals

Social Goals

• Expand employee training programs to include diversity and inclusion modules.
• Increase investment in local community projects by 10%.
• Create more jobs in our rural area, primarily for young people.
• Employ at least one more apprentice in 2025.
• Restart our workshop-experience program, teaching people the joy of making things in wood by facilitating the completion of small projects that can be taken home after one days training.

Environmental Goals

• Achieve zero waste to landfill by 2026.
• Transition to 100% renewable energy sources by 2027.
• Find more uses for our sawdust both in our community and in production of commercially viable products.

Conclusion

The Oak & Rope Company remains committed to social and environmental excellence, continuously striving to enhance practices that benefit both people and the planet. Through ongoing efforts and strategic planning, we aim to maintain our standing as a responsible and impactful business dedicated to positive change.

For further details or inquiries, please contact our Sustainability Officer at info@theoakandropecompany.com