Sustainability | FOCUS
‘Sustainability is part of
OUR DNA’ Tim Spann,
national UK sales manager, explains why Keller Kitchens is focused on
educating retailers
and consumers on a ‘greener’ approach to kichens
Q & A
Q: Keller recently announced that 2021 marked its fi fth consecutive year as a carbon neutral kitchen manufacturer. Can you outline what that really means? A: Well, in fact 2021, marks the year when we go carbon negative after recently starting a Carbon Farming Programme with one of our sustainability partners and local farmers. This process involves extracting CO2 from the atmosphere that is processed, then introduced to farmland soils – providing additional benefi ts for the farming process. The 150 tonnes of carbon we will remove from the atmosphere over the next fi ve years would be the equivalent carbon output of a normal kitchen manufacturer making 70,000 kitchens. Becoming carbon negative is an all-encompassing circular process; from the materials we acquire from fully renewable sources to recycling old kitchens no longer required and everything in between. This includes, for example, generating our own electricity from over 8,000 solar panels on our factory roof, using technology such as no glue
laser edging, water-based lacquering, recyclable packaging, bio-mass heat generation, greening of our entire fl eet of vehicles, planting forests in Bolivia.
Q: Is there a concern that attitudes towards sustainability could take a back seat following the pandemic? A: This is an excellent question. As a business, we are sticking to the plan regardless. Sustainability now forms part of our DNA. However, as the world eventually unlocks from the enforced restrictions, sustainability has to be at the forefront of thinking and planning. We don’t have the luxury of time; we are very much in the moment but there is a general will to embrace sustainability. Governments and leaders of industry must take action and fast. Now is the time to deliver on promises.
Q: How can we encourage retailers to use kitchen design to create more sustainable consumer behaviour? A: Education and training are key. We [manufacturers] have to encourage retailers to engage with consumers on the benefi ts of a sustainable kitchen. Right now, making a stance and promoting sustainability demonstrates a consciousness that will help form new buying patterns. The benefi ts of sustainability in design go beyond the dream of saving the planet with the mere purchase of a kitchen. Design and adaptation can engender a more sustainable way of living and introduce new routines or even saving money.
Everyone can do their bit; we all have a responsibility to halt the slide. Offer sustainable options and fi nd yourself some new markets. They may be relatively niche today, but they won’t be in the future. Try to lead the way to stand out in a crowded market, demonstrate that you are sustainably aware and that you actually care about the environment..
Q: What do you think the future sustainable kitchen will look like? A: We [Keller] have created what we see as the future of sustainable kitchens with the Circo concept kitchen (pictured) It features in our new Inspiration Centre in Bergen in the Netherlands and includes a range of special features, such as the use of fully circular sheet materials used to construct the kitchen that are fully bio-degradable or can be melted down to make something else. We’ve developed waste separation, collection and processing of rainwater - from which drinking water comes from one tap, then water for rinsing from another; and a built-in miniature greenhouse for growing your own vegetables.
Tapping into GREEN solutions
As green living continues to dominate, Chris Tranter, senior product manager at Bristan Group, discusses some of the water saving solutions that will help retailers meet the needs of eco-savvy consumers
dopting sustainable solutions is high on the agenda for conscious consumers and socially responsible brands. A survey by Jackson-Stops and housebuilder Crest Nicholson Regeneration found that 92% of house hunters prioritise sustainability. And with the Government’s recent promise to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the demand for greener living spaces has become even greater. Our On Tap installer community tell us their customers are more confi dent and discerning than ever in specifying
A June 2021 ·
their bathrooms and kitchens. Currently, homeowners are casting a more critical eye over the water control products they choose.
While the appeal of reducing environmental impact is a major factor in its popularity for the average 34-year-old new homeowner, according to recent research by
Finder.com, choosing sustainable bathroom or kitchen products can also signifi cantly reduce household bills – which is equally appealing for everyone. One of the most cost-effective ways consumers can reduce their water consumption is by opting for a tap with
an in-built fl ow regulator. These can reduce water fl ow to as little as 3.5 litres per minute, providing an aerated fl ow that increases water effi ciency while offering the feel of full fl ow. Infrared taps can contribute to water saving too. With an automatic shut off feature, it means there is no waste. In addition, it’s useful to seek out products that are listed on the Unifi ed Water Label (UWL), as Bristan’s are. This label sets the standard for water- effi cient products across Europe.
At Bristan Group, we make it our priority to be environmentally conscious wherever we can and we’re proud to be a zero to landfi ll company. We ensure that all our recycling is turned into usable products, where possible. All our ceramic waste is crushed and used as non-specifi cation road building materials, while our broken pallets are shredded and used for animal bedding. With water conservation being a top priority for us as a company, Bristan Group also recycles 90% of the water used to carry out endurance testing of products in our UKAS accredited lab. From the manufacturer designing and engineering the products, through to the retailer recommending them, we remain customer inspired. That’s why, as the consumer demand for greener solutions grow, our business will continue to prioritise water conservation wherever possible.
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SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL
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