Circular Economy Initiatives
Bradbury Cricket supports sustainable living and proudly supports the circular economy principles that manage waste and minimise impact on the planet. Off-cuts that can be considered a waste material from cutting the raw clefts to regulation width, are used to construct bird houses and shelters for native bees. Made from 100% recycled and reclaimed materials, the 28 Birdhouses project has been returning the tree derived waste directly back into the trees to give housing opportunities in our urban landscapes to birds and other wildlife. Read more about the project here. Shavings and sawdust are diverted from landfill to garden mulch, stable bedding and chicken coups. Bradbury Cricket divert less than a regular sized council issue bin each week to landfill.
Repair and Extend Product Life
Due to the staff at Bradbury being highly skilled craftsmen (and women), more cricket bats are restored and repaired than replaced through warranty claims, diverting waste. Bradbury support selling bats that do not meet the stringent quality standards of the regular range as factory seconds when available, decreasing waste.
Workplace Gender Equity
This is difficult to achieve in a small, family run business. However, the Managing Director smashes gender bias having played both men’s and women’s cricket in the UK, as far back as 1990. Sally Bradbury has been making cricket bats along side Paul Bradbury for the past 30 years, possibly one of the only female Master-crafter of cricket bats in the industry. Sally has also played first class cricket in Australia and the UK.
Anti-Slavery Policy
Bradbury Cricket do not support any businesses that engages in modern slavery which includes the use of child and forced labour, to manufacture or supply raw materials for the Bradbury Cricket brand. Many protective equipment items are supplied from businesses based overseas, and each premises is inspected for compliance of fair working conditions. Any breach of conditions that is brought to Bradbury Cricket’s attention will be fully investigated and appropriate action taken to prevent the continuation of supply from that entity. Bradbury Cricket recognise and accept the work done by the Sports Goods Foundation of India.
Think global, buy local
Bradbury Cricket minimises transport costs and subsequent carbon footprint with the crafting of cricket bats as manufacturing and sales are based in Australia. Most cricket bats are made from willow that is transported from Europe, to the subcontinent, mass produced into cricket bats and then sent either back to the UK or on to the final country where the game is played. Retail outlets then require goods are distributed to their stores that are either visited by the customer, or used as an online distributor to then ship the cricket bat to the end user. There is a growing trend for internet brands to take over the role of bricks and mortar shops, that perform in less than honest ways, giving the impression they too are manufacturers, same result with the carbon footprint though.
Direct from Bradbury Cricket means exactly that! You receive the cricket bat direct from where it has been crafted, from the hands that have crafted it.
Packaging
The use of soft plastic in packaging has been minimised as we continue to change current practices in the supply chain. The use of eco mail bags for small items has reduced waste significantly. Furthermore, the posting of cricket bats includes reusable bat cover, with heavy card wrap replacing the excess cardboard traditionally used for bat boxes. All packaging for postage is supplied through local based businesses.
Environmental Stewardship
Fully sustainable willow is used responsibly in the crafting of bats. By growing the willow, tonnes of carbon is sequenced, removing the CO2 from the atmosphere. By manufacturing from product derived from trees, the release of carbon dioxide is delayed, or avoided. For more scientific explanations, follow this link.
Water and Energy Management
Willow trees used for the supply of raw materials for cricket bats are not irrigated, rather grown in very wet areas, aiding soil health. The crafting of bats at Bradbury Cricket requires a great deal of energy from the crafter, not the electricity grid. The only water use is for the vital replenishment for human health. We require no heating, as we generate our own through physical work.