Buyers’ Guide

Emma Gayler of Challenge 2025 – a campaign backed by EGO Power+ – discusses the importance of sustainable procurement practices in reducing the environmental impact of our industry

It’s about maintaining high standards in an environmentally friendly way

Climate change is one of the leading topics on the agenda for businesses right across the UK and, as government targets become increasingly stringent, business leaders must begin to commit to making sustainable changes. Procurement is one area which, through sustainable practices, can create long-lasting positive benefits for businesses and their stakeholders.

As a business which is committed to developing innovative outdoor power solutions which support gardening professionals to maintain high standards in an environmentally friendly way, we’ve seen first-hand the impact of petrol-powered tools which have long been used in the industry.

Over the past year, we’ve put some of the most popular petrol tools, such as leaf blowers, mowers and hedge trimmers, through their paces in emissions testing – a first for the industry, which uncovered some shocking results.

The UK’s most popular petrolpowered leaf blower, for instance, was found to produce 11 times more carbon dioxide than a Ford Fiesta, along with being highly inefficient and using 50% of the petrol required to power a Ford Fiesta car. We tested 5 product }

categories in total and each produced comparatively high volumes of toxic emissions, particularly when you consider these tools are used frequently by professionals who will be unknowingly impacting their own health as a result.

We coupled this research with Freedom of Information requests and found that, of those UK councils that responded, more than 600,000 litres of fuel is used every year to power tools which, ironically, are contributing to the toxic environment which is destroying the outdoor spaces they’re designed to maintain.

But there is a solution which puts sustainability at its heart. Battery-powered alternatives can now provide the same, if not better, performance than traditional petrol-powered machinery, and do so without emitting any of the toxic emissions. That means safer working conditions for professionals and cleaner environments for communities.

Of course, to get to this point, a step change in thinking is required – and that’s where sustainable procurement comes in. By following the principles of initiatives such as the Green Procurement Policy, organisations can take firm steps towards a more sustainable future. To put it simply, this is done by working with supply chains to ultimately address social, economic and environmental considerations in such a way that offers tangible long-term benefits.

Alongside the obvious benefits a sustainable procurement policy could bring to businesses, particularly around its environmental impact, businesses could also experience improvements in reputation – as well as positive impacts on their day-to-day operations.

To implement a sustainable procurement policy successfully, there are some initial steps which businesses can take.

The inclusion of sustainability commitments isn’t uncommon in modern tenders. As customers

start to focus on sustainability, the businesses they rely on must do so, too. For those businesses that have ambitions to grow, sustainability needs to be a key strategic pillar.

For turf professionals, creating and maintaining outdoor spaces is the number one aim – and that’s why the tools which offer the best performance, functionality and longevity have always been chosen. Now, battery-powered tools have not only caught up to petrol tools, but in many cases have surpassed them in these areas. Essentially, they’re capable of providing everything an operator requires, without the fuss and fumes. This knowledge allows business leaders to take an objective view to sustainable procurement, knowing that changes can be made which won’t detract from the services they offer.

By reviewing areas within your business which could drive the greatest changes, leaders can prioritise and implement new solutions in a manageable way. For instance, when key equipment needs replacing or when new pieces are required, engaging a sustainable procurement policy will support them in selecting the most viable options – and do so manageably and cost-effectively. Rather than simply replacing tools like-for-like, businesses should consider how these tools can provide the required levels of performance and functionality in an environmentally-friendly way.

For councils – who, collectively, are the biggest users of outdoor power equipment – making commitments to switch to batterypowered alternatives through their sustainable procurement policies will bolster their broader environmental goals. As overarching environmental commitments are made through the introduction of Clean Air Zones and similar schemes, councils should reflect similar values through their procurement processes for outdoor power equipment.

If we look to other industries, we can learn some valuable lessons. The automotive sector continues to plan for a fully-electric future, driven largely by government requirements to reduce its environmental impact – and ultimately support individuals to do the same. This is because vehicles are known to be one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases but, as we’ve discovered through our industryfirst emissions tests of petrolpowered tools, our industry is just as responsible – if not more so. Due to a lack of regulation, our industry has been allowed to sell petrolpowered tools which emit volumes of emissions comparable to those of a car travelling hundreds of miles.

Our industry has a lot to change – and that change starts with making a pledge to sustainability. Through Challenge 2025, businesses can get the information they need to find out why switching to battery-power is a huge benefit and make a meaningful change.

Head to Challenge2025.eu to start your journey towards a more sustainable future.

Battery-powered tools have not only caught up to petrol tools, but in many cases have surpassed them in these areas