Sustainability
Our Impact
Green is in our DNA.
Standards you can trust
- and more…
Who are we
Green is in our DNA
At Refreshment Systems, sustainability is about more than reducing emissions. It is about making responsible choices across our business, supporting communities and continually improving the impact of the services we provide.
From our journey towards Net Zero and investment in renewable energy to clean-water initiatives and community projects, we are committed to creating long-term positive change.
- Carbon reduction
- Responsible operations
- Community impact
Reducing our impact, year after year
Our road to Net Zero
We have been measuring and offsetting our corporate carbon footprint since 2008 and continue to build on this through a long-term carbon reduction programme.
Our Net Zero strategy covers Scopes 1, 2 and 3, with ambitious targets designed to reduce emissions throughout our own operations and wider supply chain.
Our use of telemetry across the machines we manage has already helped improve operational efficiencies by nearly 20% over two financial years.
Our current priorities include:
- Solar panels across our depots
- Further electrification of our operational and engineering fleet
- Energy-efficient equipment and IT systems
- Improved route planning and telemetry
- Supply-chain carbon mapping
- Waste reduction, recycling and reuse
Our projects
At Refreshment Systems, sustainability is about more than reducing emissions. It is about making responsible choices across our business, supporting communities and continually improving the impact of the services we provide.
Carbon management since 2008
Since 2008, Refreshment Systems has worked with a carbon-management partner to calculate our corporate carbon footprint.
Kenyan stove project
Since 2008, Refreshment Systems has supported an energy-efficient stove project in Kenya. The programme provides families with improved cooking stoves.
NHS Evergreen Level 2
As a recognised sustainable supplier, Refreshment Systems has completed the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment, achieving Level 2.
Made Blue Foundation
RSL joined the Made Blue Foundation in 2023, helping support access to safe drinking water in communities where clean water can be difficult to obtain.
Supporting local food banks
Where suitable surplus stock is available, we donate products to local food banks, helping prevent usable food and drink from going to waste.
Every sip counts
We work with customers to develop campaigns that allow refreshment services to contribute directly to causes. Working with WISHH Charity we have raised £1,214.20 in just 3 months
Planet
Carbon management since 2008
Taking responsibility for our footprint
Since 2008, Refreshment Systems has worked with a carbon-management partner to calculate our corporate carbon footprint and support projects that help compensate for unavoidable emissions.
At the same time, our focus continues to shift towards directly reducing the emissions generated by our operations, from vehicles and energy use to technology, logistics and our supply chain.
We have established a carbon baseline through detailed audits and continue to monitor our progress against our reduction targets.
- Carbon reduction
- Responsible operations
- Community impact
Carbon Zero
Our impact
- tonnes of CO₂e saved
- 6,799+
- tonnes of wood saved
- 5,528
- energy-efficient stoves built
- 2,188
- people positively impacted
- 11,438
- children impacted
- 6,566
- hours of working time saved
- 142,343
These figures demonstrate that our environmental commitments can also create wider social benefits for communities.
Carbon Zero
Supporting the Kenyan Stove Project
Reducing carbon while improving lives
Since 2008, Refreshment Systems has supported an energy-efficient stove project in Kenya.
The programme provides families with improved cooking stoves that require significantly less firewood than traditional cooking methods.
The impact:
- Up to 50% reduction in firewood use
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Less time spent collecting wood
- Reduced household cooking costs
- Improved conditions for families
- Wider benefits for children and communities
Communities
Fundraising as a team
Our impact is driven by our people too. From taking on fundraising challenges to supporting charity events and community initiatives, colleagues across Refreshment Systems regularly give their time and energy to causes that matter.
- A 50-mile charity walk, raising £3,500 for Sue Ryder
- Participation in Business Fives, whose participating businesses have collectively helped raise more than £1 million for charities
- Ongoing fundraising and community initiatives involving colleagues across the business
- Supporting food banks. Where suitable surplus stock is available, we donate food and drink products.
Global Impact
Made Blue Foundation
Our partnership with Made Blue
Refreshment Systems joined the Made Blue Foundation in 2023, supporting projects that improve access to safe drinking water in communities where clean water can be difficult to obtain.
Access to clean water can transform lives, reducing the amount of time spent collecting water and creating greater opportunities for education, employment and family life.
- 281,282 people gained access to clean water
- 143,735 tonnes CO₂ saved
- 205,336 tonnes plastic waste prevented
- 308,003 trees saved
Charity
Supporting charities
We work with healthcare partners to support hospital charities through tailored campaigns, fundraising initiatives and on-site promotions.
From charity-branded vending activity and digital screen campaigns to product promotions and donation-led initiatives, our team can help create simple ways for staff, patients and visitors to get involved.
Our work with WISHH, the official charity of Hull Hospitals, has already helped raise thousands of pounds through collaborative fundraising activity.
- Bespoke charity campaigns
- Branded marketing and digital content
- Aid Fundraising promotions
- Support with campaign ideas and activation
- Proven experience supporting hospital charities
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- General enquiries0800 169 3686
- Service department01274 750 008
- Order ingredients01226 720 482