We want to build and operate our stores, distribution centres and offices in a resource efficient and circular way, prioritising resilience and protecting natural resources.
Our strategy
To reduce the impact of our buildings, we’ve created a Circular Built Environment Strategy. The strategy is based on Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s three principles of a circular economy:
- Eliminate waste and pollution
- Circulate products and materials (at their highest value)
- Regenerate nature
Our focus areas include:
Designing out waste and pollution
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 use of materials with a lower environmental impact.
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. 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 greenhouse gas emissions from our operations by 56% by 2030.
- Design 100% of interiors to be reusable, repairable or recyclable by 2030.
- Use only recycled or other sustainably sourced materials by 2030, with preference for post-recycled materials.
- Reuse, repair or recycle all interiors by 2030, with preference for reuse.
What we're doing
- To reduce resource use and greenhouse gas emissions we are reusing existing materials and products in our new and rebuilt stores. We are modelling how we can calculate and verify emission reductions for this. Reuse is addressed in the design phase and when creating store layouts. When needed, we work with the redesign of existing products. Whenever new products and materials are needed, we aim to use sustainably sourced and recycled materials and products that are designed according to circular principles.
- For offices, we prioritise optimising space and relocating to buildings with sustainability certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, WELL. In addition, we are carrying out LED retrofits and maximising the reuse and refurbishment of existing furniture. Furniture that is no longer functional is recycled.
- We have established construction frameworks for distribution centres that include requirements for more sustainably sourced and recycled materials.
