Sustainability

Sustainability is a key focus for SLS and our successful accreditation with the ISO:14001 environmental management standard during 2010 is evidence of that. We believe that everyone in our industry has a very real interest in environmental protection and ensuring a sustainable future and we want to be absolutely clear with our customers and suppliers about our objectives and achievements in this area. Our Environmental Policy statement and EMS-Manual can be viewed here.


As part of gaining our ISO:14001 accreditation, we:

  • Reduced delivery vehicle based CO2 emissions by more than 32 tonnes or just over 8% compared to our 2008 figures
  • Recycled 85% of our general waste
  • Recycled more than 5 tonnes of pipette tip boxes since 2009 through our tip box recycling service
  • Collected over 7 tonnes of electrical waste under the WEEE directive since 2008

For 2011, our ISO:14001 objectives against which we will be audited are:

  • To further reduce delivery based vehicle emission by 10% or 34 tonnes, a target that sits against a background of a growing business with increased deliveries as a result of new accounts or increased deliveries to existing accounts. The activities we will undertake to achieve this include:
    • Replace the existing van fleet with new Mercedes Sprinter vans with engines that comply with the Euro V emission limits.
    • Fit all vans with GPS tracking systems and speed limiters which will help us manage and reduce CO2 emissions.
    • A continuous review of our delivery routing using the latest software tools to maximise efficiency and reduce emissions as far as is possible.
  • To reduce site energy consumptions by 5%, which will also impact on non-vehicular CO2 emissions, through improved insulation and reviewing work flows within the warehouse.


Business in the Community – Environment Index

Business in the Community (BiTC) is a business led charity that operates nationwide with over 850 members, including 70 of the FTSE 100 companies. The charity advises, supports and challenges organisations with the aim of creating a more sustainable future for the local, national and global community. The Environment Index in Yorkshire and Humber offers businesses and other organisations within the region the opportunity to measure their environmental management and performance. It also offers enables participants to benchmark their performance against their peers in the region. The Index measures the following areas:


  • corporate strategy
  • integration of environmental issues into core business practices
  • environmental management
  • environmental performance in key impact areas (including CO2 and waste)
  • assurance and public disclosure

SLS were included in the 2011 Environment Index and were subsequently presented with a ‘High scoring new entrant’ award whilst also being categorised within the Bronze level of companies in the Index table.



Recycling and Waste services

  • WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) collection service *
  • Pipette tip box Recycling service
  • Packaging Collection service
  • Chemical/Hazardous Waste collection and treatment service* - click to find out more
  • Empty chemical bottles*
  • Water cartridges
  • Household batteries
  • Out of date (unused) consumables
  • Paper catalogues

* service will be chargeable dependent upon quotation. Service may be provided by a third party waste management company.



In 2011 we aim to:

  • Increase our tip box recycling service by a further 50%, this will be done through highlighting the availability of the service through our website and sales teams
  • Increase WEEE collections by 50%.

To request a quotation for a chemical collection please contact us.

To register for our recycling services please contact us.


Alternatively you can contact us by telephone on 0115 982 1111.