COMPANY FOCUS
OPENING DOORS TO SUSTAINABILITY
BMJ talks to Mike Morris, commercial manager at XL Joinery, explains the importance of working with suppliers that take their commitment to sustainability into serious consideration.
I
n today’s climate, there is no question about the importance of sustainability; end users are increasingly looking for sustainable products to use in their projects and we’re all being encouraged to think more about our impact on the environment. For merchants, being able to proudly shout about stocking sustainable products and working with environmentally conscious suppliers will help set them apart from their competition and will also put them in a position to educate their customers on a growing trend within the market.
“Sitting at the forefront of XL Joinery’s business strategy, sustainability has been an area to focus and improve upon. Since moving to the new office location in Birstall, Leeds, which significantly reduced the company’s carbon emissions and contributed to a 46% reduction in gas usage, XL Joinery has continued to take strides in improving its sustainability commitment, both through a variety of initiatives as well as their new and enhanced product offering.
Carbon Neutral overseas “In line with our achieved carbon neutral accreditation, we are supporting a variety of initiatives overseas, which will aid both the planet, as well as the local workers. “The first scheme receiving support from the leading door supplier, titled the Portel- Para Deforestation Project, prevents the loss of native forests in the Amazon. With plans to avert over 22 million tonnes of carbon emissions over the next 40 years, the initiative also employs and trains local villagers to monitor and conserve the timber reserves. This means that the scheme not only enables the
deforestation project to be closely monitored but also provides work for the local residents. “Another initiative we support is to the Mariposas Hydroelectric Power Project in Chile’s Talca province. This organisation recycles dirty water to generate electricity, replacing traditional coal or gas. Once again offering skill and employment to local people with hefty annual CO2 emission reductions.”
Sustainability at home “In addition to our overseas projects, we are continuing to instil carbon footprint-reducing schemes closer to home. In our warehouse, 550 skylights have been replaced to provide natural daylight, as well as a full transition to electric vehicles on the warehouse floor. Other energy-saving measures are taking place throughout our headquarters in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint, from production to delivery.
“We have also recently started working closely with tailored waste management solutions, One Stop, in order to drastically improve our waste management service.”
Beyond the office
“It’s not just our offices that take pride in sustainable ethics and commitment, but our products too.
At XL we are passionate about
environmental sustainability with over 90% of our products being FSC® or PEFC™ Certified. Our due diligence systems ensure we know where the wood in our products is from. We use this information to mitigate any risks of wood being from illegal sources. This means when you purchase one of our doors, you can rest assured that they have
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net November 2019
been produced following responsible forestry practices which minimise the impact on the environment.
Our latest products are filling a gap in the market for an ethically conscious product offering, the launch of our MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME external doors further echoes our commitment to sustainability.
“Each product is carefully constructed from two types of engineered timber technology, including Accoya; a soft wood that goes through a pickling process that changes the molecular makeup of the wood greatly reducing its ability to absorb water, and Tricoya; an MDF board that is made from the Accoya material. Due to its advanced technology, the product itself is non-toxic and eliminates the need for common, harmful treatments. What’s more, the door can be safely reused, recycled and incinerated and is also naturally renewable.
“But it doesn’t end at the front door. With Tricoya’s natural composition, it also boasts natural by-products. For example, the pickling produces industrial-strength vinegar, which is then fed back into the local food and beer industry, meaning that a big potential for waste is avoided”
The future of sustainability “So what’s next for XL Joinery? Sustainability will continue to play a huge and crucial role within our business, both internally and externally. Through a variety of initiatives, enhanced product offering and educating our team to make ethically conscious decisions, we will continue to bolster our efforts to further reduce our waste, in line with our aim of ‘Zero to Landfill’.” BMJ
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