MPB Publishes FY24 Impact Report on its Sustainability
Published 27 September 2024 by MPB
MPB is now recirculating 570,000 individual items of photo & video kit a year, according to its second annual Impact Report
The company also leads the way on inclusion and diversity in visual storytelling, with more than 60% of its marketing collaborations, original content and advertising in FY24 featuring at least one under-represented group
MPB sourced 35% of its electricity from renewable sources, maintained 100% plastic-free packaging across the year and sent zero waste to landfill
MPB has published its second annual Impact Report. The report, which covers MPB's FY24 activities, details how the business is performing against its sustainability strategy and commitments. MPB’s sustainability strategy is based on three themes across which the company invests and tracks its progress: Circular and Renewable, Inclusive and Diverse, and Trusted and Ethical.
Read the report (PDF)
Across its Circular and Renewable goals, MPB reported that it is recirculating 570,000 cameras, lenses and accessories a year.
MPB continues to be a zero-waste-to-landfill business. With its robust recycling and reuse programmes across its four sites, MPB averaged 69% recycling of office and warehouse waste. Similarly, MPB packaging continues to be plastic-free and fully recyclable, and this year it adapted its branded boxes to also be reusable.
In addition, MPB reduced the carbon emissions from its digital advertising by 15% year-on-year while growing its digital advertising reach, reflecting its proactive selection of lower-carbon delivery advertisers and focus on refining its targeting methods to minimise wastage and unnecessary ad impressions.
Reflecting this commitment to circularity, in 2023 MPB retained an overall ’A-’ rating in the 2023 Circulytics assessment, the circular performance measurement tool developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which measures an organisation's entire circularity (not just its product and material flows).
In FY24, MPB continued to make progress with its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts—internally and externally. Through internal surveys, MPB found nearly a third (29%) of its global workforce are members of a traditionally protected group—an increase from 26% in FY23—and just under half (46%) of its managerial roles are occupied by female employees. MPB is also proud to announce its gender pay gap across the global business is zero (on a median basis), showing no hourly pay disparity between sexes.
MPB continues to promote inclusion and diversity in visual storytelling. In FY24, 62% of its marketing collaborations, original content and advertising featured individuals from at least one underrepresented group. 51% featured women, 22% featured non-white people, 8% featured LGBTQIA people and 2% featured people with disabilities.
In addition, this year MPB sponsored 143 events, awards, platforms or individuals promoting access, inclusion or environmental stewardship in visual storytelling. These include the 70:15:40 Project UK, which offers support to women, trans and non-binary people in photography and video in the UK. MPB also sponsored a series of talks on gender inequality in creative industries from the City Girl Network, a mission led business helping women, non-binary and trans femmes grow in confidence and feel empowered.
MPB has continued to focus on growth and proactivity within its sustainability strategy. This year, MPB also formed its first sustainability committee. The committee, formed of cross-functional leaders from MPB, is tasked with ensuring the company continues to push forward sustainable initiatives, and proactively identify areas across the business where there is more to do.
This year’s Impact Report not only sets out MPB’s progress but reaffirms its circular and renewable goals. These include being fully circular in its use of furniture, IT hardware, and warehouse equipment by 2025; using 100% renewable electricity in its buildings by 2025; and reaching net zero emissions before 2030 for the energy used in its buildings and data centres, and for courier services by 2035.
Commenting on the report, Matt Barker, Founder and CEO of MPB said: “MPB was founded with two goals: to make the online market for used photo and video equipment more trustworthy and efficient, and to build a sustainable business that would continue to expand and thrive in a way that’s good for people and the planet.”
“Today, I am proud to say that MPB is the world’s largest online platform enabling photographers, videographers and content creators to buy, sell and trade used kit, and one that remains committed to keeping sustainability at the centre of everything we do.”
“FY24 was our most successful year yet across both these goals. We are immensely proud of achieving such a high rating in Circulytics, reaching zero waste to landfill and 35% renewable electricity across our operations, and ensuring that we promote inclusion and diversity in the workplace and in visual storytelling.”
“With over 10 years experience of scaling a circular business, I know it takes hard work, focus, and commitment, from investors, management, employees and business partners. I look forward to seeing us continue on this positive journey.”
Read the full MPB Impact Report