Carbon Footprint - The beginning

 We have all heard about our Carbon footprint, but what does it all really mean?

A carbon footprint refers to the amount of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) and other carbon compounds produced by us, and our activity.

These activities include:
Driving a vehicle.
Using electricity from fossil fuels.
Heating buildings.
Manufacturing goods.
And any other activity that involves burning of a fossil fuel.

The three main types of fossil fuel.
Fossil fuels are natural fuels formed from the remains of living organisms that existed a few million years ago. They come from the decomposition of organic matter under extreme heat and pressure deep within the Earth’s crust over those millions of years.

Coal – Formed from remains of ancient plants, coal is a solid fossil fuel primarily used for electricity generation and the industrial process.

Oil (petroleum) – A liquid fossil fuel formed from the remains of marine organisms. It is refined to produce various products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

Natural Gas – Is mainly composed of methane and formed from the same process as oil. It is found in underground rock formations and extracted through drilling into the rock. Natural gas is used for heating, electricity generation, cooking, and industrial processes.

Fossil fuels are the most significant source of energy worldwide and are used extensively for electricity generation, transportation, heating, and industrial processes.

However, burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and environmental degradation.

This is what has all led to the increased interest in renewable energy sources and efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption and emissions.

What are Carbon footprint standards?
They are a set of internationally recognized standards for demonstrating low carbon credentials.
There are three levels:

1. Carbon Footprint Standard – Assessed
2. Carbon Footprint Standard – Reduced
3. Carbon Footprint Standard – Carbon Neutral Plus + These standards enable a business to promote their low carbon credentials, whilst giving customers the confidence that an internationally approved process has been followed and verified.

Is carbon neutral the same as net zero, I hear you ask?
It is not quite the same although both are often referred to at the same time. Carbon neutral is similar in that greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions are offset, although it generally includes a wider definition of offsetting residual emissions. Net zero refers to a balancing act of all GHG, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane or Sulphur dioxide. To achieve net zero means to go beyond the removal of just carbon emissions. To put it as simply as we can, to reach net zero the greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere must be equal to the greenhouse gases being removed.

How are the simply sports team making a difference?
Here at simply sports we are extremely proud to be holders of our carbon neutral certification and are 100% committed and passionate about making environmentally friendly choices to help reduce our carbon footprint in any way that we can.

Our journey started a few years ago with more specific recycling with our refuse collectors, nothing sensational but the basics of bulk waste can get forgotten, with the latest of all simply sports staff recycling their crisp packets.

The 3 R’s (Reduce, Recycle, Re-Use) are still very much a focus of our daily activities.

Reduce: In July 2020 we switched to using 100% renewable energy. In February 2024 we finished changing all lights in all four stores to LED. With a Voltage optimiser being installed at our Reigate store on the 21st February 2024.

Recycle: We recycle all cardboard and paper waste through our contracts with SITA and SUEZ. We are increasing the amount of plastic that we send for recycling which now includes all packaging from stock received and containers and bottles from staff use.

Re-Use: In 2023 we fully re-furbished our Reigate branch and using a company Globe Chain, the vast majority of old fittings were re-used in a project in Romania. This avoided 1932KGS of waste and saved the end users approximately £16k.

We will also be working much more closely in future with Hylo athletics and other brands who are helping reduce the content of virgin polyester in their products, this all helps towards the indirect emissions that are not controlled by us.

Keep an eye on our social media platforms for further updates, Facebook, Instagram, X and now Linked In

What else can we do to help?
We can also do our bit at home as well as at work, here are some practical tips that could help reduce your carbon footprint:

Energy Efficiency Upgrade to LED light bulbs, which use less energy and last longer. Check the insulation of your home. Sealing windows and doors to prevent drafts and loss of energy. Use a programmable thermostat to regulate heating and any cooling systems efficiently.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle To minimize waste and conserve resources reuse items where you can. Recycle materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metal.

Water Conservation Fix any leaks. Take shorter showers. Install low flow showerheads. Use water-efficient appliances like your dishwasher and washing machine. Renewable Energy Consider solar panels or if that is not an option purchase green power from renewable energy providers.

Transportation You can help reduce your Carbon footprint from transportation by using public transport (we know these are not always the most reliable, to get you to where you need to be and on time). Driving a fuel efficient or electric vehicle. Plan and combine trips to minimize driving.

Sustainable food choices Choose locally sourced, organic, plant based and seasonal foods when at all possible.

Composting Use a composting bin to recycle organic waste such as food scraps and garden trimmings, turn it into a nutrient-rich addition for your garden. Plant a tree. Maintain green spaces around your office or home to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and provide shade, and a natural habitat for wildlife.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle at Simply Sports.
Did you know?
We also recycle old trainers and help to support Variety the children’s charity, helping to improve young lives every day.
You can drop off your old running or everyday shoes at your local simply sports store:
Oxted.
Reigate.
Tonbridge.
Tunbridge Wells.



Some useful links, please click:
simplysports.co.uk/AboutUs
Globechain Reuse Marketplace for Business
terracycle.com/en-GB/
carbonfootprint.com/carbonoffset_faq
variety.org.uk/get-involved/

Not everyone likes change, and we appreciate it is not always easy and practical to make loads of changes in one hit but adopting just one of these practices can help lower your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. It’s the little bits of good put together, that overwhelm the world.

Some FAQs

What is the most carbon neutral material?
Structural timber and thanks to its carbon negative properties, timber is making a comeback as a construction material.

What is a good example of carbon neutrality?
Adding solar panels to your home or switching to an electric vehicle are good examples of things you can do to reduce your carbon dioxide output.

What naturally absorbs CO2?
Plants remove carbon dioxide from the air naturally, and trees are especially good at storing CO2 removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a system of biological processes that convert light energy typically from sunlight.

What energy is carbon neutral?
Electricity generation from biomass, hydro, solar and wind are considered to be carbon neutral.

Simply Sports are committed to a carbon neutral policy and have renewed our 3 year contract with Pozitive Energy, a 100% renewable electricity supplier.