From zero landfill waste to tupperware lunches: How Window Widget’s sustainability strategy encouraged both action and attitude

Sustainability is a big deal for every company in every sector. To the point that it’s actually quite hard to know whether a company actually cares, or simply knows that they’re meant to. Greenwashing is a phrase everyone has likely been hearing recently.

The antidote is evidence and action. Evidence not just of saying the right things, but of doing the right things at a corporate level. Window Widgets’ focus has been on doing just that – specifically by transforming how they deal with waste and using that as the first step of a long-term green strategy.

In 2023, Window Widgets successfully diverted over 42 tonnes of PVC waste away from landfill – completing their first full year of being zero waste to landfill. In addition, they put a major emphasis on recycling a greater range of materials leading to the recycling of 10 tonnes of cardboard and 22 tonnes of wood.

But beyond the statistics, there’s also a more subtle attitudinal shift happening. In taking a greener attitude as a business, and making it a focal point of day-to-day operations, this is having a positive impact upon Window Widgets’ employees and how they go about their work and home lives.

Jade Nelson is Window Widgets Customer Service Manager and sustainability is a part of her day-to-day work. She said: “We are continually looking at ways we can improve our efficiency and sustainability. By carefully planning our delivery days, driver hours and vehicle loads it means we can optimise space and stay as economical as possible.

 “I think about sustainability all the time and try my best to keep my carbon footprint to a minimum. The way I see it, each time we choose to put some rubbish into the recycling bin as opposed to a normal bin, each time we remember to pick up our reusable water bottle rather than picking one up at the shop or even using a Tupperware container rather than wrapping our lunch in cling film, we make a difference.”

Window Widgets’ Sales Manager Sally Gingell is similarly environmentally conscious due to her consistent travel for work. She commented: “I plan my visits with customers accordingly, with a hybrid car I need to ensure I’m optimising my travel time and mileage. We have systems in place that can help plan this.

“We have an excellent recycling initiative at Window Widgets too. Ensuring we recycle our PVC and then use it in the production of many of our Window Widgets’ range.

“We’re also really keen to encourage our customers to improve their sustainability measures too. They could do this with reusable packaging, well planned deliveries, and offering their own recycling scheme for example.”

By Window Widgets committing to sustainable strategies going forward, they have created a virtuous cycle. When sustainability is a priority at work, it becomes one at home. And when sustainability is a priority at home, it helps inspire ever new initiative and ideas at work.

In the words of Andy Taylor, Group QSHE Manager at Window Widgets: “Sustainable practices not only benefit our planet but also contribute to a more responsible and resilient business and we look forward to continuing our hard work for a more sustainable future.”

The industry leading manufacturer in innovative glazing solutions to the fenestration industry, Window Widgets, manufactures the largest range of universal ancillaries for all window fabricators and suppliers.