ISO 14001 · Net-zero roadmap
Manufacturing in the UK
is the strategy.
UK production removes 95% of freight emissions vs offshore alternatives. ISO 14001 certified by BSI, with documented commitments on materials, energy, waste, packaging, and transport.
95%
Less freight CO₂
vs offshore-manufactured equivalent. UK production within 200 miles of most customers.
100%
UV / solvent-free inks
No VOC emissions. Compliant with the Solvent Emissions Directive.
40%
Recycled substrate content
Where the application allows. Recycled rigid PVC and aluminium composite available on request.
0
To landfill
Production waste is recycled, energy-recovered, or returned to suppliers under our circular procurement policy.
Our environmental policy
Direct Signs is committed to manufacturing safety signage with the lowest reasonably achievable environmental impact. ISO 14001 certification by BSI sets the framework; UK manufacturing makes it possible. Our policy is reviewed annually and is available on request as part of our tender documentation pack.
Six policy areas
Materials sourcing
Substrates and inks sourced from audited UK and EU suppliers. Recycled-content options for all major substrate categories. Take-back schemes with substrate manufacturers for end-of-life sign recycling.
UV-curable, solvent-free inks
All digital print is UV-curable and solvent-free. Zero VOC emissions during production. Eliminates the air-quality and worker-exposure issues of older solvent-based digital print.
Energy use
Factory grid electricity is 100% REGO-certified renewable. Production lines metered individually so we can target the highest-consumption processes for efficiency improvement.
Waste hierarchy
Reduce (smaller offcuts via nesting), reuse (sample and prototype substrates), recycle (PVC, aluminium, and laminate films collected separately), recover (energy from non-recyclable residual). Zero to landfill verified annually.
Packaging
Cardboard packaging is FSC-certified and 100% recycled content. Bubble wrap eliminated where transport conditions allow. Pallet wrap is biodegradable.
Transport
Despatch consolidated daily to reduce courier journeys. Carrier selection prioritises low-emission fleets. EV-fleet courier in use for local deliveries within 50 miles.
End-of-life and take-back
Signs eventually need to be replaced — workplaces change, regulations update, materials weather. We operate a take-back recycling scheme: when you order replacement signage from us, we accept the old signs back free of charge for material recycling. Rigid PVC, aluminium composite, and self-adhesive vinyl are returned to substrate manufacturers for closed-loop recycling. Contact us if you have an end-of-life signage refresh planned.
Net-zero roadmap
We are signatories to the SME Climate Hub commitment: halve emissions by 2030, achieve net-zero by 2050. Annual progress reporting:
- Scope 1 (direct emissions) — production heat, vehicle fleet. Target: full electrification of production heat by 2028, EV fleet by 2030.
- Scope 2 (purchased energy) — already 100% REGO-certified renewable. On-site solar feasibility study in progress.
- Scope 3 (supply chain and despatch) — measured annually since 2024. Engagement with top-20 suppliers on emissions reduction.
Reporting and certification
For tendered, regulated, or audited supply chains, we provide on request:
- ISO 14001 certificate (BSI audited)
- Environmental policy statement
- Annual environmental performance summary
- SME Climate Hub commitment evidence
- Material data sheets with environmental impact summary
- Take-back recycling scheme details
What we don\'t do
Greenwashing. Our environmental claims are auditable. Where a measurement is uncertain, we say so. Where a target is not yet hit, we report the gap and the action plan. Where a competitor product is genuinely lower-impact for a specific use case, we will tell you and may not be the right supplier for that order. The aim is durable customer relationships, not headline numbers.
Earlier environmental strategy
For the historical environmental strategy document and ISO 14001 implementation timeline, see our environmental strategy page.
Sourcing for a sustainable supply chain?
ISO 14001, UK manufacturing, take-back recycling, and audit documentation supplied on request.