Our
Communities
Charity, community & commitments
As a company with a leading position in the waste management industry in the UK, we have a responsibility to operate in a considerate way across our business activities, aspiring to high standards of practice for the benefit of our customers, employees and other stakeholders.
This includes the delivery of essential services to customers and building supplier relationships, whilst demonstrating social responsibility, environmental sustainability and delivering value for all our stakeholders. We recognise that a responsible approach to running our business enables us to manage risk, drive improvement in our performance and maintain pride and motivation across our workforce.
Our Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability isn’t just a goal, it’s a continuous journey. At GD Environmental, we are driven by a shared commitment to making a positive impact on the planet. By offering innovative, eco-friendly solutions and integrating sustainability into our daily operations, we are building a greener, cleaner future for everyone.
Carbon Offsetting
For the last 25 years, we’ve been actively offsetting our carbon emissions by planting over 150 acres of trees in South Wales. This initiative is far from over, by 2027, we plan to plant an additional 40 acres, making a lasting impact on our environment and contributing to carbon reduction efforts in the region.
Biomass Heating
In 2018, we installed five biomass boilers to heat our industrial units across Newport. By burning clean untreated waste wood chips, we’ve created a carbon-positive heating solution that reduces our reliance on traditional energy sources, aligning with our broader sustainability goals.
Solar Power
We began our journey toward clean energy in 2012 with the installation of our first solar PV system at our Head Office. By July 2022, we expanded this initiative with a massive solar PV installation project across three of our sites. Our goal? To run our operations entirely on clean, renewable energy.
Reducing Truck Emissions
We're continuously upgrading our fleet to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Over the past four years, we’ve improved our fleet’s average MPG from 7.6 to 9.8, saving over 100,000 kgs of carbon emissions. This investment in our fleet ensures that we're doing our part in reducing the environmental impact of our operations.
Zero Waste to Landfill
Tackling waste reduction and recycling is at the heart of our operations. We are proud to be one of Wales’ leading waste management companies, and we aim to recycle 98% of the waste we process. Our long-term goal? Achieving 100% landfill diversion, contributing to a circular economy, and reducing reliance on landfills for waste disposal.
Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act
As Wales faces a wide array of economic, social, environmental, and cultural challenges it is important that we continually work towards the aims set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act. Before the act passed into law in 2015, GD was already implementing initiatives in line with the 7 well-being goals. Customers will have peace of mind as we continue to assist them to meet their obligations by continuing our corporate responsibilities to achieve the kind of Wales we all want to see.
A Prosperous Wales
For the last few years, we’ve taken part in the Kickstart Scheme, which provides funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds who are at risk of long-term unemployment.
A Resilient Wales
We’ve been engaged in woodland creation schemes over the last 25 years planting over 100 acres of trees in South Wales. We aren’t stopping there; we recently submitted an expression of interest to plant another 40 acres in the same area.
A Healthier Wales
Employee Assistance Programmes and Benefits Schemes are paid for by the company to offer online support, tools, and rewards to connect with and celebrate our employees more effectively. We have a fully functioning gym at our head office for all staff to use and boast two mental health first aiders in the company to ensure our staffs’ mental well-being, as well as physical is prioritised and nurtured.
A More Equal Wales
GD has been engaged in a rehabilitation of offenders’ scheme with HM Prescoed since 2015. We help offenders reintegrate back into society by offering paid work during their day release. So far, we have employed over 25 personnel off the back of this scheme.
A Wales of Cohesive Communities
As part of the Keep Wales Tidy initiative, a group staff and family members took part in a litter pick along the River Usk in Newport. We filled 2 cage vans full of waste which was then processed by GD at our transfer station; free of charge.
A Wales of Vibrant Culture and Thriving Welsh Language
We currently sponsor a handful of rugby teams in Wales such as Newport U11s, Rhiwbina Rugby Club, Newport High School Old Boys and Whiteheads Rugby Club providing funds for kit, equipment or providing waste management free of charge. We are also a major sponsor of the Caerleon Arts Festival which is an annual celebration of arts, environment and culture from Wales. Our next aim is to sponsor an award at the 2023 Eisteddfod.
A Globally Responsible Wales
Since 2013, we’ve raised over £210,000 for Velindre Cancer Centre via several fundraising efforts from pub quizzes, marathons, cycling treks, golf days and collection pots. Our most recent golf day raised £22,500 to support cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research in Wales.
We’re committed to a greener future.
Sustainability is at the heart of our business. Learn more about our green credentials, how we’re reducing waste and promoting a cleaner, more sustainable future.
