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Sustainability

At Howdens, sustainability is central to our growing business to ensure we continue to be worthwhile for our staff, our customers, our suppliers, the environment, and the communities we serve. That is why sustainable behaviours are adopted right across the business from our material sourcing to manufacturing, right through to depot waste management and our distribution fleet. It is through these behaviours that we have achieved carbon-neutral in our dedicated factories in the UK and reached zero waste to landfill in our production operations. Both accomplishments align with the Science Based Targets Initiative (or SBTi) standards, and our ambition is to halve our carbon emissions by 2030. We also continue to develop and re-engineer our products to ensure we meet our mission statement of “no-call-back on quality”, so we produce and source products which are durable, safe, and continue to benefit the environment.

Our Road To Zero

Learn more about our ambition to be the UK's leading responsible kitchen and joinery company. Explore sustainable products, read about community initiatives, and discover our efforts on the Road To Zero.

Discover our Road to Zero

Sustainability stories

Howdens introduces HVO fuel and bio-natural liquid gas vehicles into its fleet

We are attempting to reduce CO², with the landmark introduction of HVO fuel and bio-natural liquid gas vehicles into the logistics fleet.

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Howdens introduces HVO fuel and bio-natural liquid gas vehicles into its fleet

We have recently announced the introduction of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil fuel (HVO fuel), alongside piloting electric trucks into our logistics fleet, in a landmark commitment to reduce CO².

First used for trucks refuelling at the Raunds distribution centre in Northamptonshire, HVO fuel is now used extensively across our logistics fleet. We have also committed to buying 350,000 litres of HVO before the end of 2022, with plans to increase volumes in coming years as the business strives towards sustainability targets.

Produced using hydrogenation and hydrocracking of vegetable oils and animal fats, HVO fuel produces 90% less CO²than diesel per litre.

Due to its versatility, HVO fuel is considered a ‘direct drop’ or ‘drop in’ solution, which can be used as a direct replacement, or in conjunction with, the fossil fuel diesel, without a requirement to adapt the trucks engine.

We have also been investigating zero-emission transport solutions and have begun a trial of electric trucks for part of the logistics operations. A DAF electric truck is being trialled, and we aim to implement at least three electric vehicles across sites by 2023. The vehicles will deliver on our XDC next day delivery service, with a 150-mile range.

Additionally, We are introducing six bio-liquid natural gas vehicles at our Raunds and Portbury sites, which work similarly to diesel vehicles, but with an 80% reduction in CO².

Gareth Sterland, Head of Transport at Howdens, said:

“The move towards HVO, LNG and Electric vehicles demonstrates our commitment to CO² reduction across our expanding fleet and network.

At Howdens, we understand what we must do and will absolutely deliver on our carbon reduction promises. As the UK’s leading supplier of kitchens to the trade we travel millions of kilometres every year and sustainable opportunities to improve and drive down our emissions are always being reviewed to find the best option for long term success and benefits to the local, national, and global environment. We are excited by the difference we will make.”

This news comes as we have been shortlisted for ‘Livery of the Year’, at the Motor Transport Awards 2022. Our fleet consists of 700 liveried trailers which join the company’s tradespeople every day on the roads, travelling the length and breadth of the country.

Sustainability
Our sustainable Greenwich matt kitchen range

Our sleek and modern Greenwich Matt kitchen range is not only one of our most affordable, but we are proud to say it’s also one of our most sustainable too.

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Our sustainable Greenwich matt kitchen range

Our sleek and modern Greenwich Matt kitchen range is not only one of our most affordable, but we are proud to say it’s also one of our most sustainable ranges too.

Designed with sustainability in mind, we have control over every part of its production process, from sourcing our raw materials in the forest, to its delivery in the depot.

Made in our carbon neutral factory in the UK, it has a recycled content of 35%, and is 100% FSC certified. The panels are made from a combination of recycled wood, including old kitchens and new wood, which comes from a sustainably managed forest in the UK, where for every acre of trees harvested, an acre or more is planted.

Because our timber originates from these UK forests, the raw materials, once made into chipboard, travel only a short distance by road rather than round the world in shipping containers, helping to keep our emissions impact to a minimum.

It has a sustainable coating that is 100% recyclable at the end of life, and like our other kitchens its cabinet comes with a 25-year guarantee, testament to its robust and durable quality.

It even includes custom designed cabinet legs made in the UK from 100% recycled plastic, which also can be recycled at the end of their life. In addition to this, all the frontals and panels are packaged in cardboard that is 100% recycled and recyclable.

Our Greenwich Kitchen range was recognised and highly commended in the Real Homes Eco Brand of the Year Award in 2022. We are continuously striving to make every part of our business more sustainable, and the Greenwich kitchen is a great example of how we are achieving this.

Sustainably designed products

Product development is central to what we do at Howdens to ensure we meet demand from our trade customers and homeowners alike. Sustainability is a key factor in the design process, with many new products being developed so they are more energy-efficient, use recycled materials, and are recyclable at end of life. It is our goal to make all new products sustainable, and we are constantly creating sustainable products we are proud of.