Screwfix has reduced its direct carbon emissions (scope 1 and 2) by 50% since 2021 after adopting several sustainable initiatives across its stores, the retailer announced.
In 2021, when the builders’ merchant launched its ‘Let’s Fix Tomorrow, Today’ initiative, Screwfix’s direct carbon emissions measured more than 23,000 tonnes, in 2022 it was 18,900 tonnes, and by the end of 2023 it had decreased to less than 11,000 tonnes.
The fall in direct carbon is driven by a move away from fossil fuel heating to air source heat pumps in over 639 stores, with more added every month, and a transition to HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) in delivery vehicles across 85% of Screwfix’s fleet.
The retailer is committed to replacing fossil fuel heating in all stores and transitioning the remainder of the delivery fleet to HVO, to halve its Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions again within the next two years.
Screwfix is also now working to measure and reduce indirect and product related (scope 3) emissions, as it works towards net zero carbon.
Screwfix continually gathers insight from customers about how important sustainability is to them and ensures that this insight shapes this strategy. For instance, in 2023, Screwfix labelled more than 1,500 products with its Green Star, highlighting options with a lower environmental impact and making it easier for customers to shop sustainably.
The number of Green Star products will double to more than 3,000 by Summer 2024, the retailer said.
83% of waste was recycled last year, with 17% incinerated – with the heat generated captured to create electricity. Since 2018, over 99.5% of waste has been diverted from landfill. The retailer is also launching waste reporting and a paper printing dashboard to support store colleagues with tracking and avoiding unnecessary printing where possible.
Matt Compton, Screwfix commercial director, said: “Our colleagues tell us that working for a responsible retailer is really important to them and we have achieved some phenomenal milestones that we’re really proud of. We know there is much more to do and we’re committed to going even further to reduce our impact on the environment and make it even easier for our customers to shop more sustainably.”
