It’s been a gradual process of reducing our resource and power usage, travel mileage and switching to suppliers that take the environment into account instead of maximising profits. Here are some things we’re doing to try and help.

Suppliers

Cooperatives are a better business model than shareholder driven corporations in our opinion, so we’ve switched to using as many as possible.

  • Using Cooperative banking
  • Investing with PensionBee’s ‘Climate Plan’
  • Using the Phone coop for our broadband
  • Buying our coffee beans from Roasting House
  • Supporting local retailers, food producers & zero waste shops
  • Supporting local talent when we collaborate with freelancers
  • Avoiding big tech and their greenwashing - we use the bare minimum from Google, Meta, Amazon etc. 

Tech

  • Using solar to power our work computers
  • Using low power computers etc, and turning them off when it’s not in use
  • Extending use of tech. We don’t need a new phone every year, or the flashiest models. I’m getting a repairable Fairphone next time I upgrade my Android phone.
  • Using EcoTalk for the business mobile
  • Using and offering renewably powered green web hosting – no carbon offsets
  • Minimal use of generative AI (full policy coming soon)

Transport

  • Public transport – I sold my car and walk or use the train for client meets
  • I hire an electric car when using one is absolutely necessary
  • Having online meetings where possible – it’s great to meet up at least once but things can often be continued virtually once we get going

Office

  • Paperless office – we use electronic docs and signatures
  • We no longer use business cards, letterheads etc
  • Recycling of everything that we can
  • Buying Zero Waste products and reusing glass containers

Sustainable Design

  • Making websites accessible when the client has budget, which includes;
    • Keyboard accessibility, clearly described images, strong contrast, clean code, clear messaging and minimal use of animations
    • ‘WCAG AA’ rating
  • Making clean, modular sites that can be used for years and the visuals easily updated
  • Aiming to follow the Sustainable Web Manifesto

Misc

  • Subscribing to Ecologi, who plant trees on our behalf (referral link, we both get free trees if you sign up)
  • Memberships to sustainability focused organisations who work to improve the design industry (Clean Creatives etc)

This has been an ongoing process for the last ten years, and we’d love to hear any ideas on how we can improve!