Corporate Sustainability and Social Responsibility
See how White & Company is reducing the environmental impact of our removals and storage operations, supporting our colleagues and helping local charities and community groups.
White & Company has been helping people move since 1871.
As a removals and storage business, many of the decisions that affect our environmental impact are made every day. They include how we plan vehicle journeys, which packing materials we use and how we run our offices and warehouses.
Our responsibilities also extend to the people who work here and the communities our branches serve. Our corporate sustainability programme brings those areas together and sets out how we review our progress.
Environment
Electric vehicles for local journeys
We’ve introduced electric vehicles for suitable local collections, deliveries and shuttle runs. One example is our use of electric porter vans on moves where narrow streets or limited parking make it difficult for a full-size removals lorry to reach the property. The smaller van can carry belongings between the property and a larger vehicle parked at a suitable location nearby.
We choose the vehicle for each job based on the distance, access and what needs to be carried. That helps us use electric vehicles where they’re suited to the work.
Planning journeys more efficiently
Our planning teams use vehicle tracking to make better use of the vehicles already on the road and avoid unnecessary empty journeys where possible. We can also carry out video pre-move surveys where they’re suitable. This gives customers a way to show us what needs moving and talk through access and packing without a separate journey to the property.
Packing materials, energy and water
We use recyclable packing materials and reuse packaging where practical. We separate waste for recycling and are working to expand the use of reusable packing crates across our branches.
At head office, we’ve replaced older lighting and had water-saving devices fitted to washroom facilities. We review our use of fuel, gas and electricity to understand where we can make further improvements.
Read how we use electric vehicles on removals
People and Communities
Supporting our colleagues
We’ve introduced electric vehicles for suitable local collections, deliveries and shuttle runs. One example is our use of electric porter vans on moves where narrow streets or limited parking make it difficult for a full-size removals lorry to reach the property. The smaller van can carry belongings between the property and a larger vehicle parked at a suitable location nearby.
We choose the vehicle for each job based on the distance, access and what needs to be carried. That helps us use electric vehicles where they’re suited to the work.
Supporting Trussell
We support Trussell and its work towards a UK where nobody needs to turn to a food bank. In December 2024, we donated £1,500 to Trussell as part of our support for three charities helping people facing hardship.
Transporting sculptures for Highland Hospice
For Highland Hospice’s Highland HeArt Trail, our team transported 22 Perspex hearts from London to Inverness, with a stop in Fife. Local artists decorated the sculptures for a public art trail and charity auction in support of the hospice.
Providing transport and storage for Leukaemia Busters
We helped Leukaemia Busters by collecting laboratory equipment from Southampton General Hospital and storing it free of charge. Our team was able to put its experience of handling and storing specialist equipment to use for a charity that funds leukaemia research.
Read more about our support on the Leukaemia Busters website
Staff fundraising and volunteering
Colleagues raised £900 for Macmillan Cancer Support at a coffee morning organised by Debbie from our Military department. Staff baked, donated and came together over coffee to raise funds for people living with cancer.
Colleagues and their families also took part in the BAR Young Movers Beach Clean, helping to clear litter from the shoreline. The event supported the Marine Conservation Society and the Removers Benevolent Association. White & Company donated £500 to the Removers Benevolent Association as part of the event.
Backing local sport
In Southampton, we’ve sponsored GEMS Netball Club, whose players marked the partnership with new red kits. Our Bedford branch has also supported the Arthur Mason Memorial Walking Football Tournament. The event brings local teams together in memory of Arthur Mason and raises funds for the British Heart Foundation.
Governance
Our Corporate Sustainability and Social Responsibility Statement sets out our responsibilities to colleagues, customers, suppliers and the communities where we work. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for implementing the policy. Our Sustainability Manager co-ordinates the programme and reports on progress.
We use audits, risk assessments and management reviews to check how our policies are working and identify where changes are needed. Our supporting policies cover the environment, health and safety, equality and inclusion, ethical conduct, data privacy, and anti-slavery and human trafficking. We also share our sustainability results and action plans annually with colleagues across our branches.
Targets and Reporting
Our sustainability programme sets goals for reducing emissions, cutting waste, using energy and water more efficiently, and improving workplace safety. We review these goals annually. Our quarterly updates record what has been done and set out priorities for the next quarter.
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