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Our Impact
January 31st marked the end of our financial year – it is the time of year we reflect not only on how we performed financially but how we performed environmentally and socially, because business has to stand for more than just profit, right?
Business for good, better business, the kindness economy, the positive pound – call it what you like, the essence is the same – the impact a business has on the world should be a positive one for its people, its community, its customers and the planet. It’s these things we must measure and continually improve at Trainspotters in order to be a truly sustainable business – as our good friend Scott Johnson of Kung Fu Accounting says:
“Everyone has the power to make a positive difference, however small, through their actions and choices. Business is no different.”
Social Impact in 2021-22
B1G1:
Buy One Give One is the organisation through which we ensure a positive impact is made with each sale we make. For every light sold they make a donation on our behalf to a relevant cause, which for the moment is to provide solar power to families in Malawi. Having lighting outside of daylight hours is proven to increase literacy rates among children of school age and it allows smaller producers and makers to work the hours they need rather than relying on seasonal operations.
Our target for 2022-23 is simply to continue more of the same. If we can increase our sales, we can increase our impacts. We will also look at other relevant schemes within the B1G1 portfolio and perhaps broaden our impacts depending on which of our products is sold.
Responsible banking:
We recently started banking with Triodos, a B Corp certified bank with high ethical standards and excellent transparency. We continue to hold a business account with a high street bank as this allowed us some very necessary flexibility during the last 2 years of the pandemic when like most companies, business was significantly affected.
Our target for 2022-23 is to shift our business banking entirely to Triodos so we are no longer reliant on “bad banking” and can feel safe in the knowledge that our money is only invested in ethical schemes.
Donations:
Alongside the B1G1 scheme we are from time to time asked to donate products to worthwhile causes. Last year we gave lighting to The Sub Rooms, a local Stroud live events venue that was struggling with the cost of upkeep and a much needed renovation in order to attract bigger acts, bigger crowds and so avoid closing its doors for good. We also gave lighting to a local non-profit community shop and cafe in a nearby village that provides an incredible service to the residents – bringing the community together, combatting loneliness within vulnerable groups and providing a hub for young kids who may otherwise feel bored and lured away to trouble further afield. It, like the sub-rooms, replies on a strong volunteer workforce and we have the utmost respect and gratitude for them.
That target for 2022-23 is to continue extending goodwill by donating more product to other local projectsspecifically those with large voluntary staff.
Environmental Impact in 2021-22
Stock:
By its very nature, salvaged lighting is sustainable, it keeps valuable resources out of landfill and it supports a growing circular economy. Whilst we do produce new high-end reproductions we hope to strengthen our range of salvaged products so are actively buying in volume to be able to promote this offering above all other types of lighting.
Our target for 2022-23 is to increase the salvage range from 37 products to 45 products to ensure a greater percentage of our turnover from sustainable sales.
E.Vs & Energy:
We’re pleased to report that despite a very difficult two years of doing business during a pandemic, we were still able to achieve some of our environmental goals.
In particular we have been able to invest in installing two Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging stations. This means that on the delivery of our new electric vehicle we will have the supporting infrastructure already in place and meanwhile we can offer it to those who already use electric vehicles within our immediate community.
We ordered our first electric vehicle in 2021 too. This was due for delivery in December but due to global supply chain issues arising from the pandemic, we are still awaiting its arrival… delivery is now expected this Spring.
Our target for 2022-23 is to continue to consolidate vehicle use through car-sharing, cycling and walking to work and using only the EV for business journeys. Finances allowing, we will be looking to trade in the delivery van for a new electric or hybrid version. We are going to further plans to install our own solar array on the roof of the workshops, to produce our own energy as well as feed back to the grid. The environmental report is done, we just have to hit the button.
Summary
It’s been an interesting couple of years but we are happy with the figures reported showing the impact our company has made in the wider community and for the environment. There is still much to do and that’s why we’ve set challenging targets for 2022 and beyond, including our mission to become a B Corp certified company
Thank you
We would not be able to do any of this without you, our customers and so we take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last couple of years – it has certainly been an interesting period and we are happy to see the light at the end of the tunnel – we hope you are too!
The Backstory Over the years we’ve handled some incredible vintage glass lighting. From decorative Holophane pendants salvaged from Victorian churches to industrial explosion-proof beasts rescued from factories in Eastern Europe. Along the way we’ve developed a particular penchant for hand-blown glass. And so over recent years we’ve been building a range of hand blown lights, …
Opaline Glass is arguably one of the most synonymous styles when we think of antique vintage lighting and it’s origins come from a mixture of European influences… Glass Of The Past Opaline Glass was produced in France during the 1800s and was highly fashionable around the world during this period. One of its main influences …
Our Impact
January 31st marked the end of our financial year – it is the time of year we reflect not only on how we performed financially but how we performed environmentally and socially, because business has to stand for more than just profit, right?
Business for good, better business, the kindness economy, the positive pound – call it what you like, the essence is the same – the impact a business has on the world should be a positive one for its people, its community, its customers and the planet. It’s these things we must measure and continually improve at Trainspotters in order to be a truly sustainable business – as our good friend Scott Johnson of Kung Fu Accounting says:
Social Impact in 2021-22
B1G1:
Buy One Give One is the organisation through which we ensure a positive impact is made with each sale we make. For every light sold they make a donation on our behalf to a relevant cause, which for the moment is to provide solar power to families in Malawi. Having lighting outside of daylight hours is proven to increase literacy rates among children of school age and it allows smaller producers and makers to work the hours they need rather than relying on seasonal operations.
Our target for 2022-23 is simply to continue more of the same. If we can increase our sales, we can increase our impacts. We will also look at other relevant schemes within the B1G1 portfolio and perhaps broaden our impacts depending on which of our products is sold.
Responsible banking:
We recently started banking with Triodos, a B Corp certified bank with high ethical standards and excellent transparency. We continue to hold a business account with a high street bank as this allowed us some very necessary flexibility during the last 2 years of the pandemic when like most companies, business was significantly affected.
Our target for 2022-23 is to shift our business banking entirely to Triodos so we are no longer reliant on “bad banking” and can feel safe in the knowledge that our money is only invested in ethical schemes.
Donations:
Alongside the B1G1 scheme we are from time to time asked to donate products to worthwhile causes. Last year we gave lighting to The Sub Rooms, a local Stroud live events venue that was struggling with the cost of upkeep and a much needed renovation in order to attract bigger acts, bigger crowds and so avoid closing its doors for good. We also gave lighting to a local non-profit community shop and cafe in a nearby village that provides an incredible service to the residents – bringing the community together, combatting loneliness within vulnerable groups and providing a hub for young kids who may otherwise feel bored and lured away to trouble further afield. It, like the sub-rooms, replies on a strong volunteer workforce and we have the utmost respect and gratitude for them.
That target for 2022-23 is to continue extending goodwill by donating more product to other local projects specifically those with large voluntary staff.
Environmental Impact in 2021-22
Stock:
By its very nature, salvaged lighting is sustainable, it keeps valuable resources out of landfill and it supports a growing circular economy. Whilst we do produce new high-end reproductions we hope to strengthen our range of salvaged products so are actively buying in volume to be able to promote this offering above all other types of lighting.
Our target for 2022-23 is to increase the salvage range from 37 products to 45 products to ensure a greater percentage of our turnover from sustainable sales.
E.Vs & Energy:
We’re pleased to report that despite a very difficult two years of doing business during a pandemic, we were still able to achieve some of our environmental goals.
In particular we have been able to invest in installing two Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging stations. This means that on the delivery of our new electric vehicle we will have the supporting infrastructure already in place and meanwhile we can offer it to those who already use electric vehicles within our immediate community.
We ordered our first electric vehicle in 2021 too. This was due for delivery in December but due to global supply chain issues arising from the pandemic, we are still awaiting its arrival… delivery is now expected this Spring.
Our target for 2022-23 is to continue to consolidate vehicle use through car-sharing, cycling and walking to work and using only the EV for business journeys. Finances allowing, we will be looking to trade in the delivery van for a new electric or hybrid version. We are going to further plans to install our own solar array on the roof of the workshops, to produce our own energy as well as feed back to the grid. The environmental report is done, we just have to hit the button.
Summary
It’s been an interesting couple of years but we are happy with the figures reported showing the impact our company has made in the wider community and for the environment. There is still much to do and that’s why we’ve set challenging targets for 2022 and beyond, including our mission to become a B Corp certified company
Thank you
We would not be able to do any of this without you, our customers and so we take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last couple of years – it has certainly been an interesting period and we are happy to see the light at the end of the tunnel – we hope you are too!
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The Backstory Over the years we’ve handled some incredible vintage glass lighting. From decorative Holophane pendants salvaged from Victorian churches to industrial explosion-proof beasts rescued from factories in Eastern Europe. Along the way we’ve developed a particular penchant for hand-blown glass. And so over recent years we’ve been building a range of hand blown lights, …
Opaline Origins
Opaline Glass is arguably one of the most synonymous styles when we think of antique vintage lighting and it’s origins come from a mixture of European influences… Glass Of The Past Opaline Glass was produced in France during the 1800s and was highly fashionable around the world during this period. One of its main influences …
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No matter how big or small, ceramic or metal, wall or ceiling mounted, it will undoubtedly spark interest