Sustainability Rooted in Practice, Not PR
by Rolec25 September 20255 min read
Sustainability is not a trend, a one-off project, or a problem to be ‘solved.’ For Rolec and other businesses in the marina sector, it is a mindset and an ongoing commitment that combines ethical responsibility with practical business sense. Done properly, it is about anchoring changes that last, not simply ticking boxes. We all know that the marina sector is closely tied to nature. Coastal and inland waters are delicate ecosystems, and those who manage, operate, and develop marinas cannot ignore their duty to protect and preserve. Visitors increasingly expect clean energy, waste reduction, and sustainable infrastructure and not as optional extras. The challenge is not whether we can afford to act, but whether we can afford not to.
A Longstanding Commitment
Long before ‘sustainability’ became a boardroom talking point, Rolec was already taking steps that aligned with environmental stewardship. At the time, many of these decisions weren’t branded as such, we simply viewed them as good practice.
Using local supply chains reduced unnecessary transport miles and supported regional economies. Engineering products for durability meant fewer replacements, lower material usage, and extended product life cycles. Minimising waste was about efficiency and diligence. These principles were quietly embedded into the company’s operations long before they became part of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) checklists.
At Rolec, sustainability has always been about consciously building for the future. The decisions we make in design, sourcing, and manufacturing directly affect our customers, our industry, and the generations that follow. That philosophy has only been reinforced by the achievement of ISO 14001:2015 certification, which formalised our environmental management systems and gave further structure to our ongoing efforts.
The Strength of Manufacturing Control
As UK manufacturers, we maintain full control over the build and development of our core product range. This visibility across the entire life cycle, from concept to creation, delivery, and ongoing maintenance, which gives us opportunities to implement positive innovations at every stage.
For example, by upgrading our solar array and reducing our consumption of heating oil across the site, we generated an estimated annual CO₂e saving of 76,410kg. Alongside this, battery storage was introduced to capture excess solar energy, which now helps to power our factory and charge electric vehicles without drawing from the grid. These steps not only reduced emissions but also improved our energy resilience, something many marinas are equally striving to achieve as energy prices fluctuate and sustainability targets tighten.
Similarly, by reducing the size of our packaging, we are now able to ship 50% more products per pallet. This has cut transport-related emissions by 33% and lowered logistical costs, a benefit both to our own operations and to operators’ conscious of supply chain impact. At the same time, we ensured all materials used in preparing products for shipping are FSC-certified and 100% recyclable. A switch to water-based inks further reduced our carbon footprint by nearly 40%.
These measures may sound incremental, but collectively they demonstrate how small, thoughtful decisions build towards meaningful results.
Closing the Loop
Waste is another area where continuous improvement has delivered change. At present, 70% of our manufacturing refuse is diverted to recycling facilities. On its own, that would be a positive step. But by also converting the remaining 30% of waste material into SRF (Solid Recovered Fuel), we avoid sending anything to landfill.
This approach reduces environmental burden while supporting a circular economy one where raw materials are continuously repurposed. For the marina sector, the concept of circularity has particular resonance. Marinas generate waste ranging from packaging and plastics to maintenance residues, and every site has a role to play in ensuring these materials are handled with care.
ESG Beyond Compliance
Today, ESG factors dominate the conversation around a green future. But the real test is ensuring these commitments go beyond compliance. ESG for show does nothing to serve the long-term interests of businesses, communities, or natural environments.
For marinas, ESG must be genuine and measurable. Coastal protection, biodiversity, energy efficiency, and the experience of berth holders all intersect in ways that cannot be managed through surface-level initiatives. Customers are discerning, and regulators are watching. The businesses that will thrive are those that view ESG not as a hurdle, but as an opportunity to enhance operations and secure resilience.
Our role as manufacturers is to align our processes and supply chains with these long-term goals. That means designing durable products, reducing emissions, managing waste ethically, and providing infrastructure that helps marinas meet their own sustainability goals.
Looking Ahead
No single company can claim to have ‘solved’ sustainability. The nature of the challenge is that it demands constant progress, adaptation, and shared responsibility. At Rolec, we know that real impact comes from working together. By collaborating across our group of companies, we combine expertise to deliver holistic solutions, helping marinas achieve more with energy management, solar initiatives, measured resource consumption, and long-term strategic development.
As Holly Brown, Rolec’s Commercial Director put it, ‘Our vision is not about trend-chasing. It’s about doing what’s right, because we always have, and because we always will.’
That’s why we see our sustainability efforts not as a finite project but as an ongoing process. Each year brings new opportunities to reimagine, refine, reduce, and renew, and the marina sector is on the same journey. The real measure is not in what we say, but in what we do. Only by prioritising substance over image can we ensure that progress is genuine and lasting—rooted in practice, not publicity.
Long before ‘sustainability’ became a boardroom talking point, Rolec was already taking steps that aligned with environmental stewardship. At the time, many of these decisions weren’t branded as such, we simply viewed them as good practice.
Using local supply chains reduced unnecessary transport miles and supported regional economies. Engineering products for durability meant fewer replacements, lower material usage, and extended product life cycles. Minimising waste was about efficiency and diligence. These principles were quietly embedded into the company’s operations long before they became part of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) checklists.
At Rolec, sustainability has always been about consciously building for the future. The decisions we make in design, sourcing, and manufacturing directly affect our customers, our industry, and the generations that follow. That philosophy has only been reinforced by the achievement of ISO 14001:2015 certification, which formalised our environmental management systems and gave further structure to our ongoing efforts.
The Strength of Manufacturing Control
As UK manufacturers, we maintain full control over the build and development of our core product range. This visibility across the entire life cycle, from concept to creation, delivery, and ongoing maintenance, which gives us opportunities to implement positive innovations at every stage.
For example, by upgrading our solar array and reducing our consumption of heating oil across the site, we generated an estimated annual CO₂e saving of 76,410kg. Alongside this, battery storage was introduced to capture excess solar energy, which now helps to power our factory and charge electric vehicles without drawing from the grid. These steps not only reduced emissions but also improved our energy resilience, something many marinas are equally striving to achieve as energy prices fluctuate and sustainability targets tighten.
Similarly, by reducing the size of our packaging, we are now able to ship 50% more products per pallet. This has cut transport-related emissions by 33% and lowered logistical costs, a benefit both to our own operations and to operators’ conscious of supply chain impact. At the same time, we ensured all materials used in preparing products for shipping are FSC-certified and 100% recyclable. A switch to water-based inks further reduced our carbon footprint by nearly 40%.
These measures may sound incremental, but collectively they demonstrate how small, thoughtful decisions build towards meaningful results.
Closing the Loop
Waste is another area where continuous improvement has delivered change. At present, 70% of our manufacturing refuse is diverted to recycling facilities. On its own, that would be a positive step. But by also converting the remaining 30% of waste material into SRF (Solid Recovered Fuel), we avoid sending anything to landfill.
This approach reduces environmental burden while supporting a circular economy one where raw materials are continuously repurposed. For the marina sector, the concept of circularity has particular resonance. Marinas generate waste ranging from packaging and plastics to maintenance residues, and every site has a role to play in ensuring these materials are handled with care.
ESG Beyond Compliance
Today, ESG factors dominate the conversation around a green future. But the real test is ensuring these commitments go beyond compliance. ESG for show does nothing to serve the long-term interests of businesses, communities, or natural environments.
For marinas, ESG must be genuine and measurable. Coastal protection, biodiversity, energy efficiency, and the experience of berth holders all intersect in ways that cannot be managed through surface-level initiatives. Customers are discerning, and regulators are watching. The businesses that will thrive are those that view ESG not as a hurdle, but as an opportunity to enhance operations and secure resilience.
Our role as manufacturers is to align our processes and supply chains with these long-term goals. That means designing durable products, reducing emissions, managing waste ethically, and providing infrastructure that helps marinas meet their own sustainability goals.
Looking Ahead
No single company can claim to have ‘solved’ sustainability. The nature of the challenge is that it demands constant progress, adaptation, and shared responsibility. At Rolec, we know that real impact comes from working together. By collaborating across our group of companies, we combine expertise to deliver holistic solutions, helping marinas achieve more with energy management, solar initiatives, measured resource consumption, and long-term strategic development.
As Holly Brown, Rolec’s Commercial Director put it, ‘Our vision is not about trend-chasing. It’s about doing what’s right, because we always have, and because we always will.’
That’s why we see our sustainability efforts not as a finite project but as an ongoing process. Each year brings new opportunities to reimagine, refine, reduce, and renew, and the marina sector is on the same journey. The real measure is not in what we say, but in what we do. Only by prioritising substance over image can we ensure that progress is genuine and lasting—rooted in practice, not publicity.