FOCUS | Sustainability entrepreneurialism ETHICAL
Sally Cutchie, marketing manager at BC Designs, explains why retailers can benefit from becoming more environmentally friendly and how manufacturers have a huge part to play in helping them achieve this
he recent announcement by the Government that the UK must cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 – which will be enshrined in law – will set the country on a course to be a world leader. However, to hit those targets, much of how we go about our daily lives will have to alter, including a signifi cant uptake in electric cars, low-carbon heating, renewable energy and even changing our diets.
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While we have 14 years before that deadline, it doesn’t mean that as a sector there aren’t projects we can undertake to play our part. Research has found that there is a huge demand by consumers for a shift in how manufacturers and retailers operate. The research by E.On Energy found that more than a third (36%) of Brits are buying more from companies with strong environmental credentials as priorities shifted during the Covid-19
pandemic, with 34% of them knowingly paying extra for greener products and services. Of the consumers surveyed, 72% said they pay attention to whether a business acts in a climate-friendly way, and 65% felt it’s important the products or services they buy do not harm the environment.
In light of this, it is fair to say that KBB manufacturers have a respon sibility to provide retailers with products that will
help meet the needs of the environmentally con scious consumer. While some bathroom products have to meet a certain standard and use materials that do contain plastics, there are now many ways to offset the negative environmental impact that happens during manufacturing.
Tree planting
An inexpensive way for retailers to commit to making a positive impact to the environment is the More Trees initiative. The charity plants trees in communities where deforestation is at a critical level, while also creating jobs for areas of extreme poverty. One fully- grown tree removes 22kg of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually. The More Trees initiative costs just £1 per tree and it is a great way of raising a company’s own green credentials. Any company can sign up and commit to planting trees, with no minimum amount required. A fairly new, and uncommon selling tool, the
benefi t of committing to planting one, fi ve or even 10 trees per bathroom project, might just help clinch the sale. Phase one of our plans will see BC Designs become a certifi ed carbon- neutral company. It means we will ensure our carbon footprint is not damaging the environment by offsetting everything we do, from manufacturing, through to transport. As well as having a positive impact on the environment, we hope it will allow retailers to benefi t when it comes to providing and selling products that align with customers’ stance on this important topic. We hope to be a standard bearer for the KBB sector by aiming to be a carbon-positive company by 2026. This means, we will go beyond zero carbon emissions to create an environmental benefi t by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It is a signifi cant goal for us but will sit at the heart of our business plans over the coming years.
More than a third of Brits are buying more from companies with strong environmental credentials and 34% of them would pay extra for greener products and services
BUSINESS AS USUAL How to make sustainability
Matt Phillips, head of UK operations at Rotpunkt, explains how retailers can benefit from getting behind
sustainable design solutions
furniture solutions that are high-specifi cation and designed to facilitate a range of disci- plines, such as cooking, dining, entertaining, home offi ce and day-to-day living. Our research shows that eco-credentials continue to be a growing concern for consumers, with many considering the manufacture, design and delivery of a product before purchasing.
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Homeowners want the look and feel of a real- wood kitchen without the overall weight and price implications, maintenance and environmental impact.
ur present way of life has led to a new frontier for contemporary kitchens – with growing demand for sustainable
With this in mind, solid wood veneers and replica laminate door solutions have become a great way to introduce authentic texture and become a sustainable choice that still delivers on quality of materials. Taking a more sustainable approach to kitchen design, the UK interiors market is showing a huge preference for these types of super-realistic kitchen schemes that replicate genuine raw materials and protect the planet’s trees.
My top tip is the inclusion of sustainably-sourced
fi nishes that bring a touch of modern luxury to the kitchen. Laminate solutions are helping to bridge the gap between style and substance, with metal and timber effects becoming the most versatile options for the green-thinking homeowner. Special surface treatments are also in the spotlight as hygiene- related kitchen design is big news right now and this sustainable goal is elevating furniture design and making a signifi cant contribution to the future of personal health and
well-being in the home.
If businesses invest in more sustainable processes, they will make a huge difference to future generations as well as generating a better bottom line
For Rotpunkt, ‘sustainability’ is not only part of our business planning, it is who we are. We are extremely proud of our progress as the manufacture of Rotpunkt kitchens has been 100% carbon-neutral from our sites in Germany since January 2020. Last year we also introduced Greenline BioBoard Gen2 product worldwide, using chipboard that consists of up to 90% recycled wood. We have to educate consumers about the benefi ts of choosing sustainable furniture and our KitchenID sticker to ensure that it is clearly labelled so that consumers can see its provenance at a glance. Our next step is to move to a complete company-wide con - version to green electricity and to give equal consideration to ecological, economic and social issues in 2021.
If businesses invest in more sustainable processes, they will be making a huge difference to future generations as well as generating a better bottom line.
· June 2021
SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL
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