Top 30 Accountancy firm rewarded for eliminating single-use plastics

Top 30 firm, Bishop Fleming have been highlighted for their work to remove single use and avoidable plastics across the business.

The firm, which delivers audit, accounting and tax services have been accredited as a ‘Plastic Free Champion’ by conservation charity, Surfers Against Sewage.

Over 8,000,000 pieces of plastic pollution find their way into the ocean every day, with the UK using a staggering 38.5 million single-use plastics every day, where fewer than 60% is recycled.

Committed to protecting the environment and operating as a sustainable business, Bishop Fleming have completely removed the use of over six commonly used single-use plastic items from its seven offices.

The firm is continuing to work to eliminate all plastic from its business, having already got rid of carrier bags, bubble wrap, single use coffee cups, plastic straws, plates and cutlery.

Starting its plastic free journey in January 2019, Bishop Fleming’s Bright Futures initiative has been instrumental in driving this approach. The initiative involves a group of staff drawn from each office who work on a different project each year, with this year’s project focussing on ‘giving back’.

Christian Crawford, Audit Manager and Bright Futures member said: “Our group has been responsible for sourcing alternative solutions to single-use plastics that have been swapped by the firm, such as bottles and coffee cups. Each staff member has been provided with a reusable water bottle and reusable cup to eliminate the use of these plastics.”

The firm has also committed to minimising its carbon footprint by 5% per annum, encouraging car sharing, cycle to work and walk to work schemes.

Andrew Sandiford, Managing Partner at Bishop Fleming said; “In our centenary year, we are very focussed on building a sustainable long-term business.  Sustainability for us is a critical part of our DNA and this includes reducing our impact on the environment.  As we continue our sustainability journey, we are delighted to have been recognised for our efforts to reduce the impact of single use plastics.”  

Surfers Against Sewage, a marine conservation charity, works hard to empower and unite communities and businesses to help protect the oceans, waves, beaches and wildlife.

A spokesperson for Surfers Against Sewage said: “Congratulations, Bishop Fleming are a Plastic Free Champion. They’re doing some fantastic work to remove and reduce the amount of single-use plastics being used by their seven offices.

“Plastic pollution in our oceans is the ‘new sewage’. It is one of the biggest global environmental threats of our age and fighting it together is our priority issue.”

The firm is continuing to work hard to remove more plastic from its business, reducing its number of bins in favour of increased recycling points across its offices. Bishop Fleming wants to help encourage other professional services businesses to do the same.

Paul Seymour, Marketing Director and co-lead for corporate social responsibility at Bishop Fleming said: “We are delighted to receive this recognition for our initiative, but we are well aware this is just another small step in our journey as a responsible business – it is our objective to continue making further positive impact in the future.”