At One Stop Hire Limited, environmental stewardship is not just a compliance requirement, it’s a core business value and a driver of innovation. We understand that the construction, plant, and tool hire industry plays a significant role in reducing the UK’s carbon footprint, and we are committed to being at the forefront of that change.
We are fully aligned with the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 target and have embedded clear, measurable actions across our operations to achieve it. These include reducing both direct and indirect emissions, adopting low-carbon technologies, and engaging our employees, customers, and suppliers in shared sustainability objectives.
Our environmental strategy is supported by robust systems and certifications, including ISO 14001 Environmental Management, ensuring that our approach is structured, measurable, and continually improving.
Our Environmental Commitments Include:
Continuous Performance
Improvement
Systematic monitoring, annual target-setting, and adoption of pollution prevention measures.
Sustainable Sourcing
and Operations
Prioritising ethically sourced materials, low-impact methods of working, and energy-efficient equipment.
Resource
Efficiency
Reducing energy, water, and land use across depots and project sites.
Transport Emission
Reductions
Transitioning to electric and hybrid vehicles and expanding the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in our fleet.
Zero Waste
Ambition
Segregating rags, paper, oil filters, and other recyclables at source, with the aim of diverting all general waste from landfill.
Employee
Engagement
Providing environmental awareness training so our teams can make sustainable decisions in their daily work.
We measure our environmental performance using recognised greenhouse gas accounting methods across:
Scope 1
Owned and leased vehicle use (petrol/diesel), gas oil for generators and forklifts, LPG, and natural gas.
Scope 2
Imported and generated electricity, with a focus on renewable sourcing where available.
Why Battery Powered Equipments Matter
The transition to battery-powered plant and tools is a key element of our Net Zero strategy. These solutions offer several advantages over corded, or fossil-fuel powered alternatives.
Zero On-Site
Emissions
No direct operational emissions at point of use, reducing our carbon footprint and improving air quality on client sites.
Greater Energy
Efficiency
Many battery technologies now outperform traditional models in terms of energy use and longevity
Operational
Flexibility
Off-peak or off-site charging reduces dependency on peak grid demand and lowers Scope 2 emissions.
Regulatory
Alignment
Battery technology positions us ahead of future environmental regulations and client sustainability requirements.
Our Case Studies
Forklift Transition
to HVO Fuel
Impact
- Annual Fuel Use: ~4,000 litres HVO, generating 2.38 tCO2 e (14.13% of depot’s total footprint).
- Diesel vans at the same depot contributed 4.96 tCO2 e (34.3%), highlighting an opportunity for greater reductions through further electrification or HVO adoption.
Next Steps
- Expand HVO usage across more fleet vehicles
- Evaluate the feasibility of transitioning local delivery vehicles to fully electric models.
Depot Energy
Efficiency Upgrade
- Replacement of traditional lighting with LED fittings.
- Partitioning of workspaces to reduce unnecessary heat loss.
- Installation of infrared electric heaters in active work zones only
Impact On Our Preston Depot
- Annual electricity use: 22,992 kWh, contributing 6.32 tCO2e (43.7% of total depot emissions).
- Measures are projected to reduce Scope 2 emissions significantly in the coming years.
Our Road Map to Net Zero is Clear
Through these actions, One Stop Hire is setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility within the plant and tool hire sector, proving that operational
excellence and sustainability go hand in hand.
Short Term
(1–3 years)
Expand HVO adoption, electrify key vehicle routes, and further improve depot energy efficiency.
Medium Term
(3–7 years)
Transition majority of plant and equipment to battery-electric models, integrate on-site renewable energy generation, and eliminate landfill waste.
Long Term
(by 2050)
Achieve full Net Zero operations, with 100% low-carbon equipment and a fully decarbonised supply chain.
Our key features...
Depots Across
The Northwest, Northeast, Yorkshire, Midlands, London
& now Bristol with nationwide coverage.
Fully Accredited
Quality & Safety is our priority.
Investment
Our fleet is continuously stocked
with the latest & best equipment available.
Trade Accounts
Available subject to credit checks.
Delivery Service
A modern, efficient fleet of vehicles
fully tracked with PDA technology
Recent One Stop Hire Ltd News
Eight Years of Impact: One Stop Hire’s Ongoing Support for Inspire Youth Zone
One Stop Hire Invests £1 Million into Fleet Expansion and Modernisation
