Staff help reduce transport emissions

In 2020, Nelson-based business Pic’s Peanut Butter World measured its carbon footprint. It then set reduction targets for energy, waste, water, and emissions. The business runs a number of initiatives to reach those goals. To reduce emissions, it installed 486 solar panels which power about one third of its operations. 

Smaller initiatives include encouraging staff and customers to use low carbon options for transport. The business’s onsite café is a popular stop, particularly for cyclists riding the Great Taste Trail. It has provided space for bike parking and plans to add facilities for e-bike charging. 

To encourage staff to consider buying and e-bike the business has negotiated a discount with a local e-bike store which has also been on site to offer free test rides. 

Pic’s Peanut Butter World retail manager Rosey Holland heads the business’s green team. She says the benefits of active transport models like walking and cycling include saving money and improving health and fitness as well as reducing emissions. 

The business support World Car Free Day each year and shouts staff a free coffee when they carpool or find alternative transport to work. Customers are also rewarded with spot prizes for leaving a car at home when they visit. 

Flexible working arrangements are available to office staff. Allowing them to work from home on a regular basis is another way of reducing transport emissions. In 2023, at Christmas, the business gave all staff a bus pass loaded with $6 to cover the costs of a return trip. 

These initiatives and others helped the business reduce carbon emissions by 13% in the second year of measuring.