Environmental impact Medium
Employer/employee ranking 15/40
Staff numbers 455
Energy reduction 37%
Recycling 15%

Metsec, the UK’s leading producer of cold rolled steel and supplier to buildings such as the 02 complex in Greenwich as well as schools and residential homes, not only has policies on ethical trading and how to manage its energy and fuel usage, it has its staff on board to make it happen. In our employee survey, staff report being aware of the firm’s green policy (a green score of 75%), and of the eco implications of the work they do (also 75%). Moreover, they believe the business is improving its environmental impact (82%).

Founded more than 75 years ago, Metsec is owned by the Voestalpine group, one of Europe’s leading specialist engineering companies. The West Midlands-based firm committed to both reducing its gas and electricity use and increasing the amount of recycling by 10% by April this year, through reducing the temperature in the factory by 1C and the encouragement of recycling — everything from metals, card, paper and oil drums to toner cartridges, computer equipment and fluorescent tubes is segregated and recycled.

Staff think money going into environmental initiatives is well spent (80%) and that the firm does everything it can to minimise its impact on the environment (76%). With a green score of just 20%, a lot of Metsec staff are still travelling to work in their cars, however. Even so, employees know where to put waste items for recycling at work (90%), which waste goes where (83%) and say that they and their colleagues think green (73%). Staff also say they feel that the company does a lot for the environment (77%).