Sustainablity Policy
Mission
Our mission is to inspire a sustainable lifestyle to enable people to live more sustainably by providing ethical and honest products that last a lifetime.
a sustainable future
Sustainable Kitchens operates as a certified carbon-neutral business, recognised by the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), and forming a part of our wider journey to becoming net zero.
But what does this mean?
Working with consultants from Future Leap, one of the largest green business networks in the UK, we measured both our Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions, alongside aspects of our operational Scope 3.
We then set to work developing a carbon reduction plan and offset our current carbon emissions with The Converging World, which invests in renewable energy, ecological restoration and community empowerment projects.
We understand that offsetting is not a viable long-term solution to the climate crisis, and whilst it is impactful to invest in climate-positive initiatives, deep reductions in operational carbon emissions are the ultimate goal.
Responsible Manufacturing
The wellbeing of our planet depends on sustainable business practice. As a manufacturer, we recognise our responsibility to reduce the consumption of energy, water and raw materials, to minimise the loss of habitat and biodiversity, and to reduce waste and emissions. By manufacturing predominantly in-house with high-quality craftsmanship, we have greater control over the environmental impact of our production. We are able to monitor this impact closely by measuring our performance and selecting suppliers carefully.
We are committed to preventing the pollution of the watercourse, air and ground, and to operating in a manner that meets all current legislation. We aim to reach beyond our legal requirements so that we operate to provide the greatest benefit and the least harm.
Intelligent Design
We view design creativity and sustainability as inseparable. Design is the critical stage to incorporate sustainability and minimise the business’s carbon footprint.
Our goal is to embed sustainability in the design process and to innovate continuously to improve our environmental performance.
We aim to provide products which are inherently long-lived in terms of both aesthetic and function. We try to always use materials with the highest recycled content and well-established recycling streams. Materials and finishes are chosen for their ease of maintenance and durability.
We constantly review alternative materials and our production processes to ensure the maximum use of sustainable materials and to minimise waste.
We use renewable energy so that all our in-house production is powered by renewables.
the road to net zero
As big believers in continuous improvement, we never want to rest on our laurels. Achieving net zero is our overall goal, working to reduce our carbon footprint year on year.
Our passionate team will work together in all aspects of the business to measure, manage and reduce. Our next focus will be on our supply chain, promoting transparency with suppliers and partnering with companies who are equally invested in fighting climate change.
Employees are actively encouraged to put forward suggestions for sustainable practice so that even very small changes can be implemented, which could eventually make a considerable difference.
Every employee has a part to play in promoting sustainability so that profit does not come at the expense of the environment.
Minimise Energy & CO2 Emissions
Our showroom and production facilities draw 100% of their electricity from renewable resources. We keep our supplier miles to a minimum by using local suppliers whenever possible: 99% of our materials suppliers are based in the UK and Europe, with just 1% coming from outside Europe. We encourage staff to car share and cycle to work and offer employees the Cycle to Work Scheme.
Our website is powered by 100% renewable energy. The internet is one of the leading contributors to climate change, emitting over a billion tonnes of C02 every year which is more than the aviation industry. Whilst we can’t live without the internet, we are doing our part to help tackle the contribution by running our website on renewable energy.
We use scrap wood to heat the factory and aim to install low energy lighting wherever possible.
We are working through a strategy to carefully monitor and calculate our emissions to confirm that we are Carbon Neutral or Negative.
We try to reduce our carbon impact with UK based tree planting projects that are paired with Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) offsets. Through our ongoing partnership with Avon Needs Trees and past partnerships with Forest of Avon Trust and The Woodland Trust, we help to replant the UK’s native woodland and provide education around the importance of trees.
Protect our forest & the Biodiversity they support
We aim to use only the most sustainably and responsibly sourced timber from certified suppliers, including the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). We also use FSC certified and recycled paper, and operate a predominantly paperless office using e-sign documents and digital design presentations.
Our Sustainable Kitchens tree dedication scheme ensures the planting and maintenance of trees with each kitchen we supply.
We help to rebuild forests by supporting tree planting projects and deforestation prevention projects.
We try to minimise our use of products containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or potentially toxic substances, especially paint. VOCs have a harmful impact on climate change, environmental pollution and human health.
We use materials with low VOC’s, including birch plywood, solid sustainable timber, and water-based paints.
We always opt for the least harmful material, process and finish to help protect air quality, people and the planet.
Generate Minimum Waste
We work with a waste management partner to send nothing to landfill. Our sawdust is used for composting. All timber offcuts are sent to a scrap store for donations to schools and clubs.
Our cabinets are protected and delivered to site in the minimum amount of recycled card packaging with biodegradable wrap with shelves and smaller items wrapped in reusable packing blankets
We design high-quality products to last. If a problem arises after installation, we will repair or replace where possible.
We choose materials with the highest possible recycled content and well-established recycling streams. We strive to reuse and recycle wherever possible, committing very little of our workshop materials to waste.
Careful cutting lists and an eye for recycled design mean that very little is wasted.
Wherever we can, we minimise materials so that the fewest resources are used and the least waste is created. We keep our plastic footprint as small as possible, opting for renewable materials wherever we can.
Our waste collections are zero to landfill for any non-recyclable waste, meaning our waste will never go into landfill and is managed in the most sustainable way possible.
Where we use plastic, we aim to favour recycled plastic, keeping the use of plastics to an absolute minimum, and reuse or recycle everything we possibly can.
When planning your dream kitchen, you may be stuck trying to figure out how you can get rid of your existing kitchen without it going to landfill. We’ve teamed up with Rehome, formerly known as Used Kitchen Exchange, who specialise in dismantling and selling perfectly good pre-loved kitchens to reduce waste and give your used kitchen a new lease of life. Find out how you can sell your used kitchen with Rehome.
Our eating area for employees has no single-use plastics, plastic plates, cutlery or straws. We use china cups and plates, and reusable containers for food storage and recycle all other materials.
Approval & REsponsbilities
This policy is approved by the Board of Honest Living Limited and is updated annually.
The Sustainability Champion for the company is the Design Manager.
Updated February 2023
