B&Q’s One Planet Home progress in 2010

22.07.2011

As part of B&Q’s One Planet Company endorsement we undertake an annual review of their progress against the targets and ambitions of their One Planet Home® programme. Here we give a few highlights such as a 20 per cent reduction in carbon emissions, 100 per cent sustainable timber sourcing and an expanding range of One Planet Home products - you can download the full report online.

With a target of a 90 per cent carbon footprint reduction by 2023, a key focus of our review was whether B&Q has made further progress towards this ambitious target. Investments in lighting upgrades, recycling and transport initiatives continue to help B&Q reduce its carbon footprint, which is now 20 per cent lower in absolute terms compared to emissions in 2006. A big challenge B&Q continue to face is how to reduce heating emissions, as like many homes and businesses in the UK, B&Q faced an increased demand for gas and other heating fuels over the cold winter we experienced in 2010.

But of course One Planet Living is about much more than reducing carbon emissions. Looking after woodlands has been at the heart of BioRegional’s work and approach to sustainability since our inception in 1992. It is clear that that B&Q has worked hard over the past 20 years to ensure that it buys timber from responsible sources and in 2010, achieved 100 per cent compliance with their sustainable timber policy.

The One Planet initiative is about getting a critical mass of people to make a commitment to leading a more sustainable lifestyle and we were excited to see that in 2010 over 6,000 employees at B&Q took part in the One Planet Home Employee Engagement programme. B&Q also continues to help its customers to create One Planet Homes with over 5,500 One Planet Home products now available in stores, all of which have been verified by BioRegional. Examples of One Planet Home products introduced in 2010 include:
•    Carpet underlay made from 100 per cent recycled clothing
•    A combined toilet and basin unit which collects water used from hand washing and uses it for the next flush
•    Recycled ‘Home Eco’ paint

Looking ahead, in 2011, B&Q will continue to track progress on electricity use, recycling rates and transport fuel consumption through monthly Board meetings. With planned investments, a further carbon footprint reduction should be achievable beyond the 20 per cent that has already been delivered. Whilst gas use is not yet reported on a monthly basis, B&Q do have trials lined up to identify where heat loss can be reduced in an effort to reduce gas consumption.

We are pleased with B&Q’s progress in 2010 towards getting its ‘own house in order’ and with a full carbon footprint analysis of its supply chain now complete, BioRegional will be supporting B&Q to develop  specific programmes to improve environmental standards and in particular reduce the carbon footprint of B&Q’s supply chain.

B&Q’s progress has also recently been recognised by The Sunday Times Best Green Companies List 2011 making the top 20 at position 18. It is one of only three retailers to make the list.