At Answer4u, we believe that how we run our business matters, both to our clients and to the wider world. As one of the UK's leading call answering providers, we're committed to operating responsibly, reducing our environmental impact, and playing our part in building a more sustainable future.
From being the first UK call centre to run entirely on solar energy to investing in low-energy technology, greener transport and better building infrastructure, we've embedded environmental responsibility across every layer of our operations.
This blog explores the steps we've taken, and continue to take, to reduce our carbon footprint, boost energy efficiency, and make Answer4u a cleaner, greener choice for your business.
Leading the Way in Solar Power
In 2015, at a time when many businesses were only starting to explore renewable energy, Answer4u took a bold and forward-thinking step, we became the first UK call centre to run entirely on solar power during daytime operational hours. At the heart of our Nottingham City Centre headquarters, we installed a complete solar panel system across the entire roof footprint of our building.
This move has proven to be impactful:
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231,000 kWh of solar energy generated since installation
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40% of our daily operations powered directly by solar energy.
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54 tonnes of CO₂ emissions offset, equivalent to planting over 2,400 trees or taking 12+ petrol cars off the road for a year.
By choosing solar power, we reduced our reliance on grid electricity. We invested in a long-term renewable energy solution that continues to deliver environmental and financial benefits nearly a decade later.
“We saw solar energy not just as an operational upgrade, but as a statement of intent. Being a responsible business means looking beyond today’s costs to tomorrow’s impact, and we’re proud to have led the way in our industry.”
Mark Menhennet, Managing Director, Answer4u
Building a More Efficient Workplace
Reducing our environmental impact doesn't stop with where we get our energy. We've also invested heavily in improving the way our building retains heat and uses electricity.
Insulated Glazing for Two Floors
Our headquarters features upgraded insulated glazing across two full floors of call centre space. This significantly cuts down heat transfer through windows, keeping warm air in during the winter and hot air out in the summer.
What does this mean in practice?
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Lower heating and cooling costs.
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A more comfortable working enviroment for our team.
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Reduced energy waste and improved building performance.
Recycled Rubber for Sound and Heat Control
Inside the building, we've gone further. When fitting new carpeting, we chose specifically designed recycled rubber underlay, an eco-conscious choice with significant performance benefits.
The dense rubber base layer helps:
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Absorb noise: The natural density of rubber helps absorb impact noise (such as footsteps and chair movement) and dampens the sounds typical in a busy office. This creates a quieter environment for our agents and improves call clarity for your customers.
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Reduce heat loss between floors: The recycled rubber helps reduce heat transfer between floors. Its low thermal conductivity means that less energy is needed to maintain a stable temperature in the building.
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Minimise environmental impact: Using recycled rubber helps divert waste from landfills and gives a second life to otherwise discarded materials, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability at every level of the business.
Not only does this improve energy efficiency, but it also creates a better acoustic environment for our team and your customers, so everyone benefits.
“Sustainability makes sound business sense. Our investments in infrastructure not only cut emissions, they also cut long-term costs.”
Sarah Menhennet, Finance Director, Answer4u
Technology: Replacing PCs with Thin Clients
As a technology-driven company, our IT setup is crucial to our operations. But we also know it's one of the biggest energy drains in any modern office. That's why we made a significant change: we've phased out over 200 traditional desktop PCs and replaced them with energy-efficient thin clients.
What's a thin client?
Thin clients are lightweight computing terminals that connect to our secure, in-house servers. They consume far less power than a standard desktop machine and have a longer life cycle, making them a smarter, greener choice.
Benefits for the environment and our clients:
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Reduced power consumption: Thin clients use up to 60% less electricity than traditional desktops.
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Lower heat output: Less heat means less strain on air conditioning systems, contributing to further energy savings.
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Compact design: These devices reduce e-waste and are easier to recycle at end of life.
Importantly, this transition hasn't just been good for the environment. It's allowed us to deliver a more stable and secure IT infrastructure, ensuring a reliable service for your business.
“The transition to thin clients was a game-changer. We reduced power usage, increased system reliability, and future-proofed our infrastructure, all while lowering our environmental footprint.”
Luke McGrane, Head of IT and Software Development, Answer4u
LED Lighting and Motion-Sensitive Controls
We've also modernised our lighting infrastructure. Across our Nottingham headquarters, we've installed energy-efficient LED lighting, along with motion-sensitive controls, to reduce unnecessary power usage.
These upgrades help us:
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Cut electricity consumption significantly.
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Ensure lighting is only active when needed.
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Reduce maintenance costs due to longer bulb life.
It's another way we're making our building work smarter and more sustainably, day in and day out.
“These upgrades are simple, but the impact is substantial. They allow us to make our workspace more sustainable without disrupting our day-to-day performance.”
Stuart Wilson, Director of Operations, Answer4u
EV-Only Company Cars and Charging Stations
We're also taking our commitment to sustainability beyond the office. We've recently announced that all current and future company vehicles will be electric vehicles (EVs), a bold move that reflects our commitment to cleaner transportation solutions.
To support this initiative, we've:
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Installed EV charging stations at our business parking bays, allowing our vehicles to recharge on-site using green energy.
“Sustainability doesn’t stop at the front door. Our green fleet reflects our values everywhere we go, and helps our brand stand for something bigger.”
Darren McCowan, Director of Marketing, Answer4u
A Culture of Environmental Responsibility
Sustainability isn't the responsibility of one team, it's a shared responsibility that involves everyone. From switching off unused equipment to prioritising digital communication over printing, our people are actively engaged in day-to-day decisions that reduce waste and conserve energy.
We've embedded sustainability into our business culture, and:
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Regularly review our energy usage and building performance to optimise efficiency.
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Select ethical suppliers and utilise sustainable materials whenever possible.
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Stay informed and proactive about environmental best practices.
When you work with Answer4u, you're choosing a partner who takes sustainability seriously, because we know it matters to your brand, your values and your future.
“Our team has embraced the challenge of doing things better for the planet. When everyone is on board, sustainable change becomes second nature, and that’s when real impact happens.”
David Chapman, Customer Service Director, Answer4u
Why Our Commitment Matters to Your Business
When you choose Answer4u as your UK-based call answering partner, you're aligning your business with a company that values ethical and environmentally sound practices.
Here's what our commitment to sustainability means for you:
A Responsible Partnership
Many businesses are now expected to vet their suppliers for their sustainability practices. By choosing Answer4u, you can feel confident you're working with a partner that aligns with your environmental values.
Long-Term Reliability
Our energy-efficient systems, in-house servers and smart infrastructure all help us deliver a reliable and robust service. That means fewer disruptions, better quality, and consistent performance you can trust.
Reputation by Association
Customers, stakeholders, and investors are increasingly concerned about environmental responsibility. Working with a green-conscious provider like Answer4u can strengthen your own reputation as a socially responsible organisation.
What's Next for Answer4u?
We've already made significant progress. But we view sustainability as an ongoing journey. That's why we're continuing to look ahead and explore new opportunities.
Every action we take is part of a larger vision, to become one of the most environmentally responsible contact centres in the UK.
“Our next steps will be driven by both innovation and accountability. Sustainability is not a one-off initiative, it’s a permanent responsibility, and we’re just getting started.”
Mark Menhennet, Managing Director, Answer4u
Join us on the Journey
Our mission has always been to help businesses like yours deliver exceptional customer experiences. However, we can achieve this without compromising the planet. From solar panels to smart tech and sustainable materials, we've proven that business success and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Whether you're an SME, a growing start-up or an established enterprise, when you work with Answer4u, you're not only choosing professional support, you're choosing a partner with a long-term vision for a better future.
To learn more about how our services can support your business goals sustainably, explore our Pay-as-you-go, Bespoke Services or Dedicated Agent options today.
Let's grow your business, without costing the Earth.
