We want to build and operate our stores, distribution centres and offices in a circular way, prioritising resilience and protecting natural resources. To do this, we’ve created a Circular Built Environment Strategy through collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and their knowledge partner, Arup.
Our focus areas include:
Designing out waste
Circularity starts with design. We are determined to use circular principals that build in the potential to repair, reuse and recycle at the design stage. This way we can create interiors and buildings that are made to last. We aim to only use recycled or sustainability sourced materials and we’re exploring how to scale innovative materials.
Re-using what we have
We’re reusing interior and building materials in new stores and refurbishments. And we’re continuing to collaborate with partners to help scale circular business models, including returning materials to suppliers for refurbishment or to become feedstock for new materials. Alongside this we are exploring the possibility to re-sell or donate materials that we can’t reuse and, as a final step, we’re looking at recycling through certified waste management companies.
Working together
We are working towards securing circular production processes and material flows in our supply chain. Our supplier’s self-assessment and validation programme is a key part of this journey and requires a new level of collaboration with suppliers.
Our Circular Built Environment goals
- Reduce carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions across our value chain by 50% by 2030.
- Design 100% of new products to be reusable, repairable or recyclable from 2021.
- Use only recycled or other sustainably sourced materials by 2030, with preference for post-recycled materials.
- Reuse, repair or recycle all products and materials by 2030, with preference for reuse.
What we're doing
- Initiating projects to set a long-term carbon roadmap for buildings.
- Establishing a group-wide reuse and recycling guideline.
- Finalising circular design guidelines based on our circular assessment tool.
- Implementing programmes to reduce waste by reusing interior and building materials in new stores and refurbishment and launching a sharing platform to encourage cross-brand reuse.
- Collaborating with suppliers to use innovative new materials for interiors and construction, such as a concrete brick made of microbes instead of cement to reduce climate impact.
Discover more
Track our progress across climate, materials and circularity
