A Helping Hand: Action for the Environment
At Dobbies, we recognise that there are some serious environmental challenges that come with running a business responsibly. The last few years have seen important steps forward in this area:
Building Designing
We are trying to design our buildings with a more sustainable edge. That means raising the profile of energy conservation as a key aim, using more timber in the construction process and improving the landscape setting.
Prevent Pollution
We use resources as efficiently as possible to prevent pollution during the building and running of our centres. While we already meet our regulatory requirements (such as the Duty of Care Waste Management and the Packaging Waste regulations), our aim is to exceed them.
Grey Water
Many of our centres are fitted with low-energy lights and solar light switches. A growing number use ‘grey water’ systems to collect rain water for irrigation and internal uses. And our Milton Keynes and Stirling centres can access a natural water source. Last year we also installed solar panels to heat water in our new Cirencester and Milton Keynes stores, and plans are in place to do the same at our new developments for this year at Dunfermline and Sheffield.
Recycling
We’re also getting better at recycling. We’ve introduced cardboard bailing machines into our larger centres. We are looking to take part in the plant pot recycling scheme wherever it’s in operation. Our carrier bags are now made from 70% recycled materials and are themselves fully recyclable. This year we are also hoping to trial plastic recycling in our flagship Edinburgh store, and want to be recycling plastic in all of our centres by the end of the year.
Environmental Information
Our environmental concerns continue to be reflected in a wider choice of organic products. We are targeting all of our garden furniture to be 100% FSC (Forestry Steward Council) compliant by the end of 2008. And we’re offering our customers environmental information on both range and also our centres – such as what environmentally friendly public transport options are available to get to them.
