3DPRINTUK announced early in 2023 its commitment to a sustainable approach to its additive manufacturing (AM) operations and outlined its “Road to Net Zero” plan. The company has announced it has already taken a significant step toward this goal by attaining certified carbon neutral status, the first 3D printing service bureau to do this in the United Kingdom.
Thanks to its partnership with Climate Partner, 3DPRINTUK has gained a better understanding of its carbon footprint and identified ways to reduce it. The company has also been able to offset the emissions that it can’t eliminate through its current carbon reduction program.
Through this collaboration, 3DPRINTUK has been able to offset 448,000 kilograms of CO2, equally split between two supported projects: improved cookstoves in Uganda and wind energy in De Aar, South Africa. Both projects contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and have been verified by Carbon Check (India) Private and TUV SUD South Asia Private Limited, respectively.
The improved cookstoves Uganda project aims to replace conventional and less efficient cookstoves in the country with improved cookstoves. Three objectives are being pursued: reducing fuel consumption, improving the health of the population in Uganda, and reducing deforestation.
The aim of the wind-energy project in De Aar, South Africa, is to harness the region’s wind-energy potential to balance its energy needs in a sustainable way. The share of electricity now supplied by the wind farm would have otherwise been generated by fossil fuels. The wind-power project avoids about 433,920 tons of CO2 emissions per year. In addition to the environmental benefits, the project assists the local community by creating jobs and improving the access to healthcare.
“We set ourselves some important goals as a leading 3D printing service provider, with the full intent to meet them as soon as practicably possible,” said Nick Allen, 3DPRINTUK CEO. “Offsetting our carbon footprint and achieving certified carbon neutrality is a really great start, and we are proud of this achievement, but it remains just the start. We push on.”
More info www.3dprint-uk.co.uk/
