Our Pawprint on the Planet PitPat and Sustainability PitPat and Sustainability At PitPat, we stand firm in the belief that all businesses, without exception, are responsible for acting as a force for good. This conviction drives us to implement meaningful changes across our operations, ensuring we make regular progress towards a sustainable future for everyone. Our commitment to sustainability is not just about the well-being of pets but extends to the entire planet we share, making it an integral part of our promise to our people, community and the environment. “Whenever I’m out walking my dog Winnie-Fred in the Cambridge park near PitPat HQ, I’m reminded of the reason we started PitPat. It’s straightforward, really. We aim to enhance the lives of dogs and their humans. Our products and services are crafted to ensure you and your dog can enjoy every moment together, focusing on health, safety, and happiness. In today’s world, leading a business is about more than just the products we create; it’s about the methods we use and the impact they have. Whether it’s launching our recycling programme, the sustainable production of our dog food, or designing packaging that’s easier to recycle at home, we’re committed to making a positive impact. Indeed, by aligning our efforts with the ‘world’s to-do list’, we’re planning for the long term, aiming to contribute to a healthier planet and a brighter future for all. We understand that each small action is a part of a much larger picture. Supporting pet charities, providing our team with volunteer days, and fundraising for pets in need are all ways we build a business that looks beyond itself. I’m truly proud of the strides we’ve made and am genuinely excited about our sustainable future plans at PitPat.” – Andrew Nowell, CEO and Founder of PitPat Guiding Our Sustainability Plans Like many businesses, we’re actively aligning our sustainability efforts with global initiatives to ensure our actions resonate with worldwide strategies and the latest climate research. Our roadmap includes a commitment to securing B-Corp status within the next five years. This journey begins by focusing on the most pertinent UN Sustainable Development Goals for us, setting a clear direction for our immediate priorities. Furthermore, taking a collaborative approach and consulting with our industry peers will help ensure that our decisions are not only informed but also contribute to the greatest collective impact. Our Goals for a Better Tomorrow At the heart of our sustainability focus at PitPat are the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a set of 17 aims that guide us towards a brighter, more sustainable future for everyone. As PitPat grows, we’re focussing on specific goals for the greatest impact; gender equality (SDG 5), Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13). For us, this means doing everything we can to ensure the health and happiness of our pets and their families, supporting equal opportunities for all, embracing eco-friendly practices, and taking steps to protect our environment. It’s all about creating a world where both people and pets can flourish together. Gender Equality (Goal 5) We’re committed to fostering an inclusive environment that empowers all individuals, regardless of gender. We actively support initiatives that promote gender equality within our workforce, in the communities we serve, and through the partnerships we cultivate. By ensuring equal opportunities for leadership, development, and participation, we strive to contribute positively to achieving gender equality and empowering all individuals, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and valued. Decent work and economic growth (Goal 8) We recognise the critical importance of decent work and economic growth in fostering sustainable development. We are committed to creating opportunities for meaningful employment and economic advancement within our workforce and the communities we serve. By providing fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for skills development and career advancement, we aim to empower individuals and contribute to the prosperity of society as a whole. Additionally, we support initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and innovation, recognising their role in driving economic growth and creating sustainable livelihoods. Responsible Consumption and Production (Goal 12) PitPat champions the sustainability ethos through every facet of our business, from product design to packaging. We’re striving to ensure our operations and products reflect our deep commitment to minimising environmental impact. This includes sustainable sourcing, implementing recycling programs, and designing fully recyclable packaging at home. Our aim is not only to reduce waste but also to inspire our customers and partners to join us in making conscious choices that support a more sustainable future. By prioritising responsible consumption and production, we’re dedicated to contributing positively to the environment and setting a standard for the pet industry. Climate Action (Goal 13) Within the UK it is estimated that business activities account for about half of all emissions. At PitPat, we’re acutely aware of the urgent need to combat climate change and its impacts. Our commitment to Goal 13 is reflected in our proactive steps to reduce our carbon footprint, from adopting renewable energy sources to enhancing the efficiency of our products and operations. We’re also engaging our community in climate action, offering insights on how pet owners can contribute to a healthier planet. By focusing on innovative solutions and sustainable practices, PitPat is dedicated to playing an active role in the global effort to mitigate climate change, ensuring a safer, cleaner world for future generations of pets and people. Carbon Emissions Net Zero by 2050 Aligned with targets set by the UK and globally, our aim for 2050 is to achieve “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions. This means that the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere is balanced by the amount removed or offset. Businesses like ours need to innovate and adapt their operations to align with this goal, which not only helps protect the environment but also ensures their long-term sustainability and competitiveness in a changing world. PitPat’s efforts span across: Direct Emissions (Scope 1): Optimising our direct operational impact. Indirect Emissions (Scope 2): Transitioning to renewable energy sources for our operations. Other Indirect Emissions (Scope 3): Focusing on the broader impact within our supply chain and product lifecycle. 2050 may seem like a long way off but we know we need to take continuous action to ensure we achieve this goal. Our first steps towards net zero are to conduct a thorough assessment of our current operations and their impact. Watch this space for our 2023 Impact report. Product Impact Dog Food that’s gentle on tummies and the planet Our PitPat Food is lovingly made by Josera, a family-owned industry leader in sustainability. This means PitPat food is made in a fully carbon-neutral factory from sustainable ingredients. None of our food is ever wasted as any surplus stock goes to our local hedgehog hospital. We’re working on changing up our food and treats packaging to make it more sustainable and ensure it can be domestically recycled across our markets. PitPat Device Recycling Programme Recognising the need for responsible disposal of our durable products, we’ve initiated a recycling program for our devices. Understanding that tech, like ours, requires careful dismantling, we’ve established a process ensuring we responsibly recycle or reuse as the vast majority of our components as possible. We would never want to risk our products ending up in landfills, and to ensure that never happens, we offer a free disposal service for devices that would otherwise not be used. An example of this might be if a customer upgrades to a PitPat GPS device from a PitPat Activity Monitor or if their dog sadly passes away and they don’t want to re-use or gift the device. RECYCLE MY DEVICE
