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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.

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
Howdens sponsors Golden Globe Race skipper Simon Curwen

We are sponsoring sailor Simon Curwen as he competes in one of the world’s most sustainable sailing competitions, the Golden Globe Race.

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Howdens Sponsors Golden Globe Race Skipper Simon Curwen

We are sponsoring sailor Simon Curwen as he competes in one of the World’s most sustainable sailing competitions, the Golden Globe Race.

The Golden Globe Race is returning for the second time since its inception in 1968, having last been held on its 50^th anniversary in 2018, where 5 sailors successfully completed the race. With sustainability at the heart of the race it will see Simon along with 16 other competitors race solo non-stop across four oceans, primarily relying on wind and solar energy, as well the force of the sea to power their vessels.

Experienced yachtsman and environmental enthusiast, Simon, will take on the challenge without using modern technology such as GPS, satellites, or smart phones, in a refurbished vessel as the race prioritises protecting the environment, for every litre of diesel used participants are awarded a two-hour time penalty.

Departing from Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, the event will cover 30,000 miles and is expected to take between 220-300 days. In the history of the event there has only ever been six finishers to complete the entire course.

Speaking of the sponsorship, Mark Slater, Commercial Director, Howdens, said: “We are incredibly excited to be partnering with Simon as he embarks upon this gruelling challenge. The race encourages sailors to push their skills to the limit without relying on advanced equipment, and the focus on sustainability echoes Simon’s passion for the planet, which we also share in the way we run our business.

“From sourcing and manufacturing, through to waste management and distribution, sustainability is central to Howdens. Partnering with Simon who shares our values and attitudes towards the environment is a great way of advocating this message, and we wish him the best of luck as he races across the world.”

Our vision is to become the UK’s leading sustainable kitchen and joinery supplier, and our ‘Road to Zero’ plan aims for the business to operate by creating zero emissions and zero waste. In 2021 we achieved carbon-neutral manufacturing at our sites in Howden, Yorkshire and Runcorn in Cheshire in 2021, with 100% of production waste being re-used, recovered, or recycled, and 99% of depot waste avoiding landfill.

Simon Curwen, Golden Globe Race skipper, adds: “This event is like no other, it’s the longest and loneliest race that exists. Harnessing only the power of the wind and sun while surviving the harsh conditions of great oceans is going to be an incredible challenge.

“Howdens’ support will help to inspire future generations, just as I was inspired some 50 years ago by the first Golden Globe Race. Their values around sustainability and protecting the environment are closely aligned with my own, and I am proud to have them on board as I embark on this journey.”

Simon has worked in Environmental protection for over 30 years, specialising in the investigation and clean up of contaminated land. As an experienced and competitive Offshore Yachtsman, Simon has competed in five Fastnet Races, winning the double-handed class in 2007, finishing second in the 2001 Mini Transat from La Rochelle to Salvador de Bahia, and was also runner up to Ellen MacArthur in the YJA Yachtsman of the Year in 2001.

The Golden Globe Race departs from Les Sables-d’Olonne, France on September 4th, 2022 and continues non-stop around the world, via the three Great Capes before returning to Les Sables-d’Olonne.

Earlier this year, we committed to setting near- and long-term companywide emissions reduction targets in line with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), and since 2021 we have been a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Working with these organisations helps to strengthen and guide our commitment to the circular economy, sustainability, and the environment.

Find out more about our ‘Road to Zero’ plan and commitment to sustainability.

see the golden globe race

The road to zero

Our vision is to become the UK's leading, responsible kitchen and joinery supplier. We have a big responsibility, and we are working across the entire business to become more sustainable. From defining a net-zero plan, harnessing carbon-neutral manufacturing, reducing landfill waste, and increasing the recycled material in our products, our ambition is to create zero emissions and zero waste.

Zero emissions

We are developing company-wide targets that will allow us to halve emissions by 2030. This will play a crucial role in our overall goal to achieve net-zero by 2050.

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Zero emissions

We are setting near- and long-term targets, in line with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), to reduce our carbon emissions. These targets will support an overarching plan that will outline key strategies and milestones to reduce our carbon emissions to zero over the next two decades.

What does "net-zero" mean?

"Net-zero" is where a business produces no greenhouse gases in its operations from the get-go. This is different from "carbon-neutral", which is where a business balances its emissions with initiatives that avoid an equal amount of carbon, achieving a neutral - or zero - value on its carbon footprint.

Who are the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)?

The Science Based Targets Initiative, or SBTi, is an organisation that drives climate action by supporting businesses in setting science-based targets that reduce emissions. These targets show companies how much and how quickly they need to reduce their emissions to prevent the worst impact on the environment.

Carbon-neutral manufacturing

The first milestone on our road to net-zero was to achieve carbon-neutral manufacturing at our sites in Howden, Yorkshire and Runcorn, Cheshire. And in 2021, we did just that.
Accounting for nearly 40 per cent of our total footprint, these factories had the largest combined impact on our direct and indirect carbon emissions, making it the best place to start.

Certified by the Carbon Trust in 2022, we are committed to maintaining ongoing carbon neutrality within our manufacturing operations.

How did we achieve it?

We started formally targeting our emissions reductions in 2012 when we became part of the Carbon Trust’s ‘Carbon Trust Standard’ scheme. We committed to a 2.5 per cent annual reduction in our carbon emissions, which is relative to our annual turnover. Since then, we have consistently achieved this target, and in fact, reduced the tonnes of CO2 per £1m turnover by 35 per cent.

To do this, we focussed on the electricity we use at our factories and warehouses, which include factory extraction systems, large compressed air systems, heating, and lighting. We also looked at energy-efficient behaviours and introduced the Howdens Energy Action Team (HEAT), who champions good energy behaviour and initiatives.

Over 10 years, we made significant improvements in how we consume energy, how we monitor energy use, and how we use that data to drive continual improvement. Our carbon-neutral certification was achieved by demonstrating a robust strategy for continual reductions, setting clear targets for the future, and having a plan to maintain them.

Our latest milestone is that all grid-sourced electricity used in our factories and warehouses comes from renewable sources backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO’s). This will eliminate around 4,000 metric tons of indirect carbon emissions per year.

So, what is next?

We are committed to maintaining our carbon-neutral certification in our manufacturing operations. This means we need to reduce emissions further – doing more with less.

We want to extend carbon-neutral to our worktop manufacturing site and are exploring opportunities for on-site renewable energy generation across all factories and warehouses.

We are also adopting new and emerging technologies, particularly across our distribution fleet, where we are trialling alternative fuels and electric large goods vehicles.
Zero waste

In 2020, we reached a significant milestone with our manufacturing and logistic processes reaching zero waste to landfill. Now, our efforts have turned to depots.

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Zero waste

In 2020, we achieved zero waste to landfill in our manufacturing and logistics processes, and we have worked hard to maintain this through 2021. This remains our goal for the future.

Our next step is to reduce waste to landfill across our depots, and we are working towards a target of more than 95 per cent of depot waste avoiding landfill by the end of 2022.

Thanks to our “backhaul” waste recovery process, we have already reached more than 99 per cent. Our efforts are now focused on finding a solution that gets us to 100 per cent of depot waste avoiding landfill.

What is “backhaul” waste recovery?

“Backhauling” is a well-known term within logistics that sees a truck journey from A to B for deliveries, and then B to A collecting goods on the return trip. This prevents the number of empty lorries on the road, saving both fuel and emissions.

Our “backhaul” waste recovery uses the same principle to collect waste from depots on the return journey. With more than 8,000 collections in the first year, we were able to reuse, recycle, or recover up to 2,000 tonnes of waste from landfill.

What happens to waste?

Depending on the type of material, we can return waste to our factory for reprocessing. Here, we recycle chipboard for use in our cabinets or convert it into energy via biomass boilers.

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.