At BDK, sustainability is not an afterthought — it is at the heart of our operations and our future. Guided by our three-year operations and quality vision and the BEST framework (BDK Excellence and Sustainable Transformation), we are embedding sustainability across every part of our business. From energy use and waste management to supply chain practices and employee engagement, we are committed to continuous improvement that creates real, measurable impact.
Our Achievements in 2025
Energy Efficiency
Target: 10% reduction in energy use compared with 2024
Result:
- Already on track to far exceed this, with a projected 50% reduction by year-end.
- Solar panels are being installed on our main buildings in September 2025, further reducing our carbon footprint from 2026.
- Induction sensors fitted to factory machines, supported by independent consultancy Sensorfax, are helping us cut energy use even further.
Waste Management
Target: Increase recycling by 15% compared with 2024
Result: Achieved a 50.6% increase in the first half of 2025 — more than three times our target.
Improvements include:
- Centralised waste bins with clear signage.
- Additional skips and dedicated recycling streams.
- LED lighting replacing traditional lighting indoors and outdoors.
- Outdoor furniture built from 100% recycled plastic.
- Transition from disposable to reusable cleanroom coats.
Sustainable Supply Chains
- We set out to assess 100% of our Level 1 suppliers against sustainability criteria in 2025.
- So far, 22% have fully completed our new questionnaire and 20% have provided partial responses.
- By year-end, all suppliers will be assessed – through their submissions, online evidence, or formal non-compliance statements.
Certifications & Awards
ISO 14001 Certification – audit passed and certification recommended (April 2025).
EcoVadis – committed status achieved in 2024; aiming for Bronze in 2025 and Silver by the end of 2026.Suffolk Carbon Charter Silver Award – awarded in recognition of our progress in reducing our carbon footprint.SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) – currently exploring the setting of verifiable GHG reduction targets, further strengthening our climate commitments.
Continuous Improvement Projects
Sustainability is one of ten continuous improvement programmes launched at BDK since January 2024. Using a Lean Six Sigma approach, we deliver projects that drive measurable progress. Examples include:
- Barcoding discovery – improving material traceability and reducing waste.
- Consignment stock and subcontracting initiatives – minimising transport impact and increasing efficiency.
- Electronic timesheets – reducing paper use and improving data accuracy.
- Machine downtime analysis – using data to cut idle energy consumption.
- Cleanroom sustainability measures – moving to reusable cleanroom coats and optimising testing processes.
- AI-powered quality control – reducing waste through smarter inspection systems.
Our journey is ongoing, but every step brings us closer to our ultimate goal: a sustainable, resilient, and responsible BDK.