Garland UK Publishes Sustainability Report

GARLAND UK has published its latest Sustainability Report, detailing measurable progress in helping clients across the public and private sectors achieve environmental objectives.

The company’s focus on reducing carbon emissions, improving resource efficiency, and investing in people continues to deliver practical benefits to estates, facilities, and asset managers across the UK.

Now in its second year of formal reporting, the data shows how Garland UK is aligning with net zero ambitions in the built environment, applying structured, evidence-based methods to what can often feel like a complex challenge.

The results provide a clear message to contractors, specifiers, and manufacturers alike; with the right focus, sustainability improvements are achievable without compromising performance or delivery.

Click to read the Garland UK 2024 Sustainability Report

Climate Action in the Roofing and Building Envelope Sector

Garland UK began by establishing a baseline year in 2023 and used 2024 to track performance and identify opportunities for improvement. This year, the company achieved a 7% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions, moving towards its long-term target of net zero by 2050. Most of this reduction came from improved freight and transport planning, which accounts for nearly 80% of Garland UK’s carbon footprint.

For the wider sector, the lesson is clear; emissions reductions often start with small, operational changes, such as optimising delivery routes or consolidating shipments, that can be implemented across the supply chain with minimal disruption.

Reducing Whole-Life Carbon

In 2024, Garland UK extended its suite of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to 17 of its 18 core systems, including the new Solarise solar PV range supplied in partnership with Solarwatt PV. These independently verified documents provide transparency on the carbon and resource impacts of roofing, rainscreen, and solar systems across their lifecycle.

For specifiers and asset managers, using systems with robust EPDs allows projects to meet certain sustainability criteria with confidence. Garland UK’s systems are designed to exceed their guarantee periods, reducing the need for early replacement and enabling long-term maintenance and investment planning. Through the Roof Asset Management Programme (RAMP), clients also receive design-stage advice and digital documentation from their dedicated Garland Technical Manager, ensuring compliance, traceability, and improved building performance over time.

Zero Waste to Landfill and improved Resource Efficiency

Garland UK maintained zero waste to landfill throughout 2024 by working with Grundon to divert 100% of non-recyclable waste through energy recovery while maximising recycling. Year-on-year, total waste fell by 19.5%, and recycling rates increased from 13% to 24%.

These results demonstrate that reducing waste is not only an environmental goal but also an operational efficiency opportunity. At Garland UK’s head office, changes such as reusing surplus materials, refining warehouse processes, and working with suppliers to reduce packaging at source have delivered measurable improvements.

While these actions reflect Garland UK’s internal operations, the same principles can be applied on-site by contractors and within manufacturing facilities, from better materials management to smarter logistics, to lower disposal costs, streamlined workflows, and strengthen environmental credentials in competitive bids.

Investing in People to Deliver Sustainable Outcomes

In 2024, Garland UK delivered CPD sessions to 1,477 specifiers nationwide, with additional product training sessions engaging hundreds more professionals. Topics included flat roof defects, sustainable roof design, and solar integration, providing up-to-date technical insight for surveyors, architects, and estates teams.

All employees completed training on ESG topics, including modern slavery, anti-bribery, environmental awareness, and health and safety. Staff also contributed 100 hours of volunteering with FareShare SouthWest. As a 100% employee-owned business, the company continued its programme of staff engagement and development initiatives.

Looking Ahead in 2025 and Beyond

As the sector advances towards net zero, Garland UK will benchmark suppliers on carbon performance, expand data collection, and explore low-carbon options for transport and materials. Engagement with Approved Contractors and the wider supply chain will focus on embedding social value and fair practices throughout project delivery.

Mark Fisher, Garland UK General Manager

Mark Fisher, General Manager at Garland UK adds, “The progress we’ve made shows that measurable sustainability outcomes are achievable when you set clear targets and track them consistently. Our next steps are about going deeper, working closely with contractors and clients to cut carbon, reduce waste, and deliver systems that perform for decades. We believe this approach benefits not just the environment, but the long-term success of the whole roofing sector.”

>> Read more about Garland UK in the news