Oak Grove Sustainability Statement
Oak Grove’s founders started the business in 2013 with the intention of combining innovation and sustainability thinking to help charities, businesses and education providers make the strongest possible contributions to a more sustainable future.
We live and work in Oxford, with the distinct advantage that we no longer have a commuting footprint. It is comparatively efficient because we combine our domestic and work heating and lighting needs- but it brings its own challenges. Like all small businesses, we have to be resourceful when it comes to getting the most out of equipment and if we want to make technical upgrades we need to budget carefully.
We may be a core team of two, but we don’t believe that should make us any less accountable for how we operate. In fact, we are always looking for ways to carry out our work more effectively, more responsibly, more collaboratively and more sustainably. We are most certainly not perfect.
We’ve picked out four key areas in this statement we feel we must work hard at getting right.
Travel
We use Skype, phones and email where we can- but sometimes it is really important to do things face to face. When travel is necessary, we like to walk, cycle or take the bus. For longer journeys, we’ll take the train in preference to flying, and drive where it is the only viable option using a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
Energy
We buy our energy from Good Energy and believe in investing our money in companies actively increasing Britain’s renewables capacity.
We have TRVs on all radiators and we are scrupulous about putting on jumpers and turning off lights.
We are always keen to give brilliant new ideas a go.
Community
We are proud to be part of the City of Oxford’s diverse and creative community and use social media to promote social enterprises and charities doing great things in our area.
We buy from local businesses where we can and offer our time free or at a heavily discounted rate for very small local organisations seeking sustainability and innovation support.
The Directors both volunteer their time as trustees for charities in the South-East of England.
Resource Use
We will only buy recycled or FSC paper and print both-sides.
We will always seek to repair office equipment before buying a replacement, unless an upgrade would provide significant energy efficiency benefits. When buying new equipment, we will only buy items rated at A+++ efficiency or equivalent.
We will always consider broader biodiversity impacts when making a purchasing decision, and favour charities such as Emmaus (second-hand furniture given a new lease of life) for our office desks and chairs.
We will never throw an item away that can be re-used, and will always go the extra mile to see it find a new home.
We live and work in Oxford, with the distinct advantage that we no longer have a commuting footprint. It is comparatively efficient because we combine our domestic and work heating and lighting needs- but it brings its own challenges. Like all small businesses, we have to be resourceful when it comes to getting the most out of equipment and if we want to make technical upgrades we need to budget carefully.
We may be a core team of two, but we don’t believe that should make us any less accountable for how we operate. In fact, we are always looking for ways to carry out our work more effectively, more responsibly, more collaboratively and more sustainably. We are most certainly not perfect.
We’ve picked out four key areas in this statement we feel we must work hard at getting right.
Travel
We use Skype, phones and email where we can- but sometimes it is really important to do things face to face. When travel is necessary, we like to walk, cycle or take the bus. For longer journeys, we’ll take the train in preference to flying, and drive where it is the only viable option using a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
Energy
We buy our energy from Good Energy and believe in investing our money in companies actively increasing Britain’s renewables capacity.
We have TRVs on all radiators and we are scrupulous about putting on jumpers and turning off lights.
We are always keen to give brilliant new ideas a go.
Community
We are proud to be part of the City of Oxford’s diverse and creative community and use social media to promote social enterprises and charities doing great things in our area.
We buy from local businesses where we can and offer our time free or at a heavily discounted rate for very small local organisations seeking sustainability and innovation support.
The Directors both volunteer their time as trustees for charities in the South-East of England.
Resource Use
We will only buy recycled or FSC paper and print both-sides.
We will always seek to repair office equipment before buying a replacement, unless an upgrade would provide significant energy efficiency benefits. When buying new equipment, we will only buy items rated at A+++ efficiency or equivalent.
We will always consider broader biodiversity impacts when making a purchasing decision, and favour charities such as Emmaus (second-hand furniture given a new lease of life) for our office desks and chairs.
We will never throw an item away that can be re-used, and will always go the extra mile to see it find a new home.