What is Wholegrain Digital?
Wholegrain Digital is London’s original sustainable WordPress agency, founded back in 2007 by Tom and Vineeta Greenwood. Their goal? To help positive organizations thrive online. Specializing in WordPress, they work closely with businesses that have a purpose, the public sector, and charities. It’s not just about building websites—they’re on a mission to create the best websites in the world while using their business as a force for good. They’re all about accelerating the shift to an internet that’s good for people and the planet.
Main Benefits of Wholegrain Digital’s Approach
Here’s a quick snapshot of what makes Wholegrain Digital stand out:
- Websites average over 90/100 for SEO performance.
- Their sites are 67% less polluting than the industry average.
- They build websites as Progressive Web Apps, enhancing user experience.
- Average CO2 emissions per page view are kept below industry standards.
- All websites are hosted on energy-efficient servers powered by 100% renewable energy.
- They created the world’s first website carbon calculator.
- Lead authors of the Sustainable Web Manifesto.
Commitment to Sustainability
Wholegrain Digital isn’t just talking the talk—they’ve declared a Climate Emergency and act accordingly. Sustainability is baked into everything they do. From minimizing printing and using recycled materials to adopting ‘carbon synching’—which means removing CO2 from the atmosphere at the same pace as their emissions—they’re serious about reducing their environmental footprint. Plus, they’re a certified living wage employer with an industry-leading maximum wage ratio of 3, showing they care about fairness inside and outside the company.
Green Practices in Daily Operations
It’s the little things that add up. Staff get free access to London’s Santander Cycles, encouraging eco-friendly commuting. Company events follow a vegetarian-only expense policy, cutting down on the environmental impact of food choices. Wholegrain Digital is also a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of their annual sales to nonprofits focused on environmental causes. These practices reflect a genuine commitment to sustainability beyond just their digital work.
Driving Ethical and Open Source Web Development
Wholegrain Digital’s expertise isn’t limited to sustainability—they’re deeply rooted in ethical web design and open source principles. Their focus on WordPress, an open source platform, aligns perfectly with their values of transparency and community collaboration. By promoting green web design and building efficient, low-carbon websites, they’re setting a new standard for what ethical web development looks like in today’s digital world.
Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Hosting on 100% renewable energy servers.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Certified living wage employer with fair wage ratios.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Pioneering sustainable web technologies like the carbon calculator.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Minimizing waste and promoting recycled materials.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Declaring a Climate Emergency and practicing carbon synching.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Member of 1% for the Planet, supporting environmental nonprofits.
Why Wholegrain Digital Matters
In a world where digital presence is essential, Wholegrain Digital proves that you don’t have to sacrifice the planet to succeed online. Their blend of cutting-edge WordPress expertise, unwavering commitment to sustainability, and ethical business practices makes them a trailblazer in the web portals industry. They’re not just building websites—they’re shaping a better internet, one low-carbon page at a time.
