Some of our sustainability projects:
We have a dedicated sustainability team at our mill and have launched a number of major projects to reduce our impact on the world:
The topic of sustainability is high on everyone’s agenda – ensuring that we all play our part in meeting the needs of today without compromising our ability to meet the needs of tomorrow. Portals is a responsible business and actively contributing towards a better future.
Portals has been making paper for the world’s leading security printers for over 300 years. We have achieved this by constantly refining the quality and efficiency of our processes and delivering against sustainability aspirations whilst also driving innovation.
The production of security paper requires a substantial amount of energy, water and raw material. Reducing our consumption of all of these resources is core to our sustainability ambitions.
Portals is fully committed to being a responsible business, striving to ensure sustainable sourcing and manufacturing processes, achieving industry certifications and upholding our own in-house strict ethical practices, including:
Certification to ISO14001 standards for Environmental Management Systems
Portals is driven to continually meet the requirements of this accreditation, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and the environment.
Achievement of PEFC Chain of Custody certification
PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) is an organisation that oversees global forest management and certification systems. PEFC Chain of Custody certification enables companies to identify and control their PEFC-certified material.
Attainment of Ecovadis Silver Medal status
In recognition of sustainability achievement.
Successful reduction of energy usage
through partnership and the implementation of the latest energy efficient technology and processes.
Commitment to implementing measures to help reduce usage rates
Adherence to the principles of ‘Prevent-Reuse-Recycle’
we reuse and recycle all materials where possible.
We have a dedicated sustainability team at our mill and have launched a number of major projects to reduce our impact on the world:
Understanding our impact by calculating our Scope 3 (supply chain) carbon emissions
Investigation into other renewable energy sources we can harness
Effective management of our waste streams
In addition to focussing on major projects, we have many ongoing sustainability initiatives running, including:
Approximately 6 acres of grassland surrounding the site is protected land and is given to local farmers to use for grazing, reducing the need for tractors, grass cutting or herbicides.
Around 2 tonnes of non-secure paper is re-purposed for onsite printers and the local community schools each year.
The neighbouring countryside and nearby riverbanks, are home to an abundance of wildlife, which means we have both a desire and an obligation to protect our local environment. We work closely with local organisations such as the local Bathampton Angling Association and Bathford Village to ensure the protection of our local environment.
These are just some of the delightful images we have captured since installing cameras along the river.
Portals puts its people and customers at the heart of the business and is immensely proud of its reputation as a very well-regarded company in the local community, with numerous local families and generations working as part of the Portals team. The site is a very friendly place indeed where we all go the extra mile to ensure we do the very best we can for our customers and our communities, providing consistently high quality secure and trusted products and demonstrating integrity in the way in which we impact and interact with our local communities.
We care about our employees and run a number of initiatives focusing on training and development, health and wellbeing and encouraging engagement of our employees, including:
Training and personal development
We strongly believe in technical and personal development here at Portals. As a result, we work to ensure the personal development, training and upskilling of our colleagues both in the technical skill areas demanded within a paper mill, but also for their own personal development including people and leadership skills. As well a whole host of recommended courses and programmes on offer, we are also actively developing a talent strategy across the business to nurture our rising stars and ensure effective succession planning.
Employee wellbeing
At Portals, our employees’ wellbeing is extremely important. We provide everyone on our team with their own membership to a confidential employee assistance programme, giving them access to a wide range of services and advice. This includes a 24/7 helpline, counselling services, legal and financial support and discounts schemes. Feedback from staff that have engaged with any of these services to date has been extremely favourable indeed
Employee mental health
Our employees’ mental health is as important to us as is their physical health. Portals has six fully trained Mental Health First Aiders on site, able to understand and assist with any mental health issues or concerns and are here to talk should anyone feel they need support. Their role is to listen and support, non-judgementally; to raise awareness and understanding; to reduce stigmas; to build knowledge and confidence in dealing with mental health issues; and promote early intervention wherever possible. And of course, any information shared is completely confidential.
Employee voice committees
Key to contributing to a happy, healthy and authentic culture across all areas of our business, we hold “Employee Voice Committees”.
These forums act as a way for employees to communicate their views to the management team, and the opportunity for the team members to actively influence the things that matter to them at work. We encourage our employees to express all ideas, concerns and perspectives within this “safe space” without fear of social or workplace consequences. We are strongly committed to a business that values inclusivity and one where everyone’s voice really does have the chance to make it count
Charitable / local community support
Portals actively supports its local communities and charities. Portals contributes through a variety of activities and charitable fundraising, encouraging its employees to get involved and engage with local groups.
Sustainability is important to all of our staff members – our heritage extends back hundreds of years, and there is a real desire to continue making high security paper here for many hundreds more!
Technical advancements have driven sustainable change at Portals, but this is just one part of the solution, with a true commitment to continued sustainability also coming from within and being ingrained as part of our organisation’s ethos and culture.
As we look forward, one thing is certain, at Portals we will always continue to evolve and adapt to ensure we play our part on the journey ahead in helping to deliver global sustainability and a balanced future for all.
The Role of Furnish in a Secure Passport
The Fundamentals of a Trusted Identity
The Foundations of a Passport
Working in Perfect Partnership
Focused on a Sustainable Future
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