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Operations, packaging and waste

We understand that we impact the environment around us. Across our support office, warehouses, and stores, our team members work hard to care for and protect the environment in which we work. We regularly review how we reduce, reuse, and recycle our waste – here's what we’re doing to evolve and improve our operations.

Our operational sustainability commitments

• Incorporating environmental responsibility into all areas of the business

• Setting clear and realistic environmental targets and regularly reviewing performance

• Providing the necessary resources we need to meet our environmental commitments

• Training our team to make the right decisions, and take the right actions, to respect our environment

• Actively seeking out ways to reduce our energy and water consumption

• Encouraging our suppliers and partners to improve their impact on the environment

• Minimising waste being sent to landfill

Packaging

Our aim is to minimise the use of packaging throughout Oliver Bonas without endangering our product or brand. We’re phasing out all non-recyclable materials as quickly as possible, we’ve taken action to manage our cardboard packaging and shipping materials more effectively, and we are reducing our use of single-use plastics.

Using environmentally-friendly packaging is our goal. We are working hard to continuously improve its sustainability and reduce our environmental impact.

Product packaging

We recognise that our product packaging generates waste. Our design and buying teams work hard with our suppliers to ensure we don’t overpack our products and are focused on removing as much unnecessary packaging as possible.

We are actively removing non-recyclable packaging materials from our products and we will continue working on alternative packaging formats until all packaging is fully recyclable in line with our 2023 commitments.

We are committed to providing clear guidance on how to recycle our packaging correctly, to ensure minimal waste is sent to landfill. We are rolling out standardised recycling information in the form of On Pack Recycling Labelling (OPRL) across all our packaging.

Poly bags

Whilst we continue to explore where packaging can be reduced across our operations, we have not been able to find an effective way to completely remove poly bags just yet.

They keep our products clean and dry during transport and storage, ensuring they stay in the best condition possible for our customers. However, we have been exploring the variety of alternative bags that are now available and will be transitioning over to bags made from recycled plastic which can be recycled at designated recycling points, usually located at larger supermarket stores.

Bags removed for our online orders, or by our store teams are recycled with our waste partners.

Online order packaging

Our online order packaging is now as plastic-free as possible.

We use paper protector and void filler instead of plastic bubble wrap, and our bags and boxes are made from sustainably sourced FSC certified paper or cardboard, which is fully recyclable within the paper recycling stream at kerbside.

Our beautiful new jewellery pouches are made from organic cotton and are designed to be reused or recycled at a designated textiles recycling point.

Paper bags

We use fully recyclable paper bags in our stores.

They’re made from FSC certified sustainably sourced wood from well-managed forests, contain 70% recycled content, and are printed using eco-friendly inks.

They also contribute to our charity partnership donations. In England, Scotland & Wales, we donate 8p of every 10p charged for a paper bag. In Republic of Ireland we donate 18c of every 25c for a paper bag.

Our paper bags can be recycled, within the paper recycling stream, kerbside.

Our packaging improvement commitments:

• We’re committed to a 20% reduction in packaging waste by 2025.

• We will ensure full roll out of bespoke On Pack Recycling Labelling (OPRL) by the end of 2023.

•We will be phasing away from all non-recyclable packaging materials by 2025.

Receipts

The majority of paper receipts can’t be recycled, due to the heat transfer process that is used to print the receipt. That’s why when you make a purchase at one of our stores, you will be given the option to receive a receipt via email.

We offer e-receipts as a way of reducing the amount of non-recyclable waste we produce.

What can I recycle? We can work together to ensure as little waste as possible goes to landfill. The Waste and Resources Action Plan (WRAP) have developed a handy tool to help you find out what can be recycled in your local area– just enter your postcode and what you would like to recycle and it will list your nearest drop off points. Find out more here.

Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling

Unwanted electrical equipment is one of the world’s fastest-growing types of waste*. Many electrical items can be repaired or recycled, saving natural resources and the environment.

If you’re buying a new electrical item from us, we’ll recycle an old like-for-like item for free. You can return your unwanted electrical item to an OB store within 28 days of purchasing the new product. For online purchases, you can send your item to us by contacting our Customer Service team who will send you a free postage label. Proof of purchase is required.

Head to Recycle Now for more information on Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling and to locate your local recycling centre (UK only).

* Source: Recycle Now

Product recycling with Newlife

We donate damaged or unsellable products to the charity Newlife, which supports disabled children and their families.

Newlife re-uses, repurposes or recycles our product donations. Their recycling centre saves thousands of tonnes of waste from being sent to landfill or incinerated every year* and it also provides people from all backgrounds the opportunity to volunteer and learn new skills.

*Source: Newlife

Our improvement plans

• Implementation of a systematic waste minimisation programme to meet our internal targets to reduce waste

• Creation of an energy management system to reduce our energy consumption

• Creation of an OB Environment Team to embed good environmental and energy management practices across the business

• Actively encouraging and listening to ideas from our team members and customers

• An education plan to ensure all team members understand they have a responsibility to reduce our environmental impact through their own actions every day