UK rental company achieves carbon-neutal status

UK-based rental company Astley Hire has achieved carbon-neutral status for the period of December 2020 to November 2021, meeting the requirements set out under the PAS 2060 framework - the internationally recognised standards for carbon neutrality.

Left to right: Astley Hire’s directors Michael Dorricott and Stephen Dorricott. (Photo: Astley Hire)

Lancashire-based Astley Hire provides access, maintenance, scaffolding, cooling and cleaning equipment rental services to construction and industrial companies across northwest England. 

The company reduced its 142.1-tonne potential carbon footprint for the period to just 48.24 tonnes - which has been offset via the UK government’s approved Carbon Footprint scheme -after committing to the PAS 2060 framework.

Astley Hire said the UK’s 2050 net zero target had “inspired” it to meet the PAS 2060 framework.

Built on the existing PAS 2050 environmental standards, PAS 2060 certification enables businesses to prove the accuracy and validity of their carbon-emission and environmental claims, by working with an independent third party.

In a joint statement Astley Hire’s Directors, Stephen Dorricott and Michael Dorricott, said, “This is probably one of the biggest milestones we have reached as a business in our 56 years of existence. We, as directors, have always been passionate about reducing the environmental impact of the business we own.

Astley Hire, which has also held the ISO 14001 environmental standard for a number of years, worked with consultancy firm Charis Ventures to plan and implement its carbon strategy.

Martin Doran, Astley Hire’s General Manager, said, “I am pleased to have reached this significant milestone of zero-carbon neutrality and be one of the first hire companies in the UK to have achieved this status.

“Our customers who prioritise their green credentials can benefit greatly from knowing they are hiring equipment from a carbon-neutral provider.”

According the company, its newly attained carbon-neutral status is just “the first milestone in a long term effort to reduce the business’ carbon output and the requirement for carbon offset”.

It is now aiming to reduce its carbon offset by an additional 10% in 2022 and is planning further action to lower emissions across its activities moving forward.

The rental company said, “Over 2022 and beyond, Astley Hire will examine business processes and seek ways to improve key areas such as their vehicle fleet efficiency, fuel for hire equipment, employee commuting, and the digitalisation of processes.”

It added, “The next stage of Astley Hire’s carbon-neutral journey is to get the PAS 2060 result certified by an external body, with a long term strategy to target every aspect of the business as technology advances and greener solutions become available.”