It's time to become CO2 neutral

Sustainability at DB

Driving Change for a Greener Future

Why is being a sustainable business important to us?

As a family company, the importance of being a sustainable business is rooted deeply in our values, with a focus on preserving the environment for future generations. 

Our commitment is driven by a sense of responsibility to our children, grandchildren and beyond, ensuring that the choices we make today contribute to a better, healthier world tomorrow. 

 

We‘re already making great progress towards our sustainability goals. We are actively working towards full compliance with ISO14001 standards, a globally recognised framework for effective environmental management. Plus, as members of the SME Climate Hub, we have pledged to reduce our carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, and aim to become carbon neutral by 2050. 

It's not just the trees that are

GREEN

IN YORKSHIRE

Taking action like the world depends on it

Lighting

WE INSTALLED PASSIVE

INFRA-RED LED LIGHTING

SAVING 41,000kWh P.A,
OFFSETTING

8.49 TONNES

OF CO2

Solar

OUR SOLAR PANELS

GENERATED

65,000kWh P.A,
OFFSETTING

13.45 TONNES

OF CO2

Waste

WE DELIVERED ALMOST

18 TONNES

FROM LANDFILL

BY RECYCLING:

11.44

TONNES

OF CARDBOARD

& PAPER

0.91

TONNES

OF LOW DENSITY

POLYETHYLENE (LDPE)

3.90

TONNES

OF ALL OTHER

RECYCLING ONSITE

Our Carbon Reduction Plan

Carbon Reduction Goals set in 2023:

Install electric vehicle charging stations for employees.

Eliminate plastics in packaging - we aim to have 100% recyclable content.

Replaced all lighting onsite with passive 
infra-red (PIR) LED alternatives.

Educated the workforce of the impact of their decisions on energy saving practices.

Reducing waste to landfill. Recycling paper, cardboard, metal cans, plastic, glass, Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE).

Next five years:

Continuously work to collect the highest quality, primary data on our emissions to aid reduction and progress measurement.

Switch to renewable energy by installing a Solar PV system.

Work with suppliers to understand their own emissions and encourage them to set their own carbon reduction targets.

Achieve 100% recyclable packaging content.

Promote and support sustainable commuting for all employees.

Implement an environmental management system certified to ISO 14001. 

Sign up to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and set a long term Net Zero target.

View our full carbon reduction plan here.

A Collaborative Success Story: 
Other Sustainability Actions Taken

We replaced 100% of our fleet for Electric/Hybrid vehicles and installed workplace EV charging points - free to use for all employees.

We implemented a bike-to-work scheme and installed showers for employees cycling and walking to work.
 
We sought and implemented UK manufacturing, reducing the environmental impact associated with overseas shipping. 
 
For products that are sourced internationally, we transitioned from air to sea freight, lowering our carbon footprint.

LDPE diversion from landfill

Our branded packaging is now FSC-approved, with eco-friendly vegetable inks and biodegradable laminates.

Electic charging points

Showers for team members commuting by foot or bike

Solar panels

Recycle bins in the kitchens

Team members are commuting to work by bike

Iconic polishers packaging; from plastic to fully recyclable cardboard

   Boxes for all Ixion Instruments; plastic window was removed

   Plastic in packing was removed. 100% recyclable/biodegradable tape

   Biodegradable protective hive paper

   100% recycled void fill paper

We're passionate about
planting trees

We partnered with the “One Tree Planted” organisation, planting trees in conjuction with sales campaigns annually.

Inspiring our teams,
sparking change

We set up the “DB Gardening Gang” to help minimise our environmental footprint and enhance staff well-being.

 

The Gardening Gang plant fruits and vegetables for the staff to eat. We also planted fruit trees and created wild grassed areas.

Team Initiatives for Sustainability and Waste Reduction

We hold team workshops to highlight the importance of waste diversion and proper plastic management. 

 

We also hold team events to encourage colleagues to get out into nature in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Past events included a bracing walk up Whernside on a windy Sunday.

 

Every staff room is equipped with recycling bins, and we have installed water filters to discourage the use of single-use plastic bottles. 

Join us on the journey to
a greener future

At DB Orthodontics, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We’re proud of the progress we have made and remain dedicated to continuing our journey towards becoming a fully sustainable business in the dental industry.