As the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies is committed to educating about the importance of soil health, and delivering environmentally-friendly practices, products and sustainable solutions
OUR PLEDGE
We have been helping people have success with their gardens since 1865 and as part of that we make it our priority to be responsible and care for our environment
We are working to improve our sustainable practices all the time and here are some of our current targets and practices – this is a journey and we will update this policy ongoing
Join the conversation online with #sustainabledobbies
PEAT-FREE COMPOST
Winner of RHS Sustainable Garden Product of the Year for own-brand, peat-free compost
Accredited members of the Responsible Sourcing Scheme
We are leading the way in the garden centre sector
We are the first garden centre group to have a 100% peat-free range of bagged compost
We promote peat-free in our stores
We offer a full range of peat-free composts to cover all gardening requirements
Our own-brand, peat-free composts are our best sellers
Dobbies has a pricing policy that makes peat-free alternatives attractive for customers
Many of our suppliers are members of the Growing Media Association (GMA), a body that works closely with DEFRA and is striving to meet the Government’s aim of continuing to reduce peat usage
Terra Carta
We are proud supporters of #terracarta from His Majesty The King’s Sustainable Markets Initiative.
The Terra Carta provides a road map to 2030 for businesses to move towards an ambitious and sustainable future
RECYCLING
We have partnered with sustainable plant pot designer, elho, to provide plastic pot recycling bins across 69 of our garden centres
This will make it easier than ever to reduce unnecessary plastic waste in the garden and prevent further plastic waste ending up in landfill
We have compost bag recycling bins at all our mainline stores
Garden products
We will offer organic alternatives in all categories of chemicals and fertilisers, where they are available, and where we are confident that they produce good results
We promote mulching, composting, water conservation and other sustainable gardening methods
We offer biochar products from Carbon Gold – Carbon Gold Biochar Fertiliser and Biochar Soil Improver – and we were the first leading garden centre to stock these products
FSC timber and outdoor living
It is 100% FSC wood in our own brand outdoor furniture ranges
All our wooden outdoor furniture products have been sustainably sourced and hold legal certification for origin of source
We are working to drive out single use plastic in our protective packaging, replacing with suitable materials that can be recycled
Where possible, we use a mix of recycled and non-recycled resin in our resin wicker products
We are always researching more eco-friendly material combinations across fabrics and hard materials
Little Seedlings
Little Seedling events take place monthly in-store
For more information visit Little Seedlings
Plants
We have worked with our nursery suppliers to produce a roadmap towards peat free plants with a reduction in peat use each year
We source 85% from UK nurseries
We promote British plants in order to reduce plant miles
We promote wildlife friendly plants, hedging and plants for birds, bees and butterflies
Water
We monitor and manage water use at our garden centres
At some stores, we harvest rainwater for watering of the plant stock
We share information with customers on how to water their plants in a responsible way
We encourage sustainable watering methods in our press releases and social media activity
Pots & Trays
We are committed to increasing recyclable plant pots and reducing the use of single use plastics
We are moving away from black pots as these are not able to be collected kerbside for recycling
We offer a range of houseplants in coir pots which have been very popular in stores and online
Pest and weed control
We offer a safer range of pest control products, to reduce the impact on beneficial garden insects and wildlife
We do not stock weedkillers that contain glyphosate or slug killers that contain metaldehyde – we were the first in the market to remove glyphosate-based weedkillers
Rodenticides have been delisted
Carrier Bags
We only offer recyclable carrier bags
Donations from the purchase of bags are made to our National Charity Partner, Teenage Cancer Trust
Our suppliers
We work with our supply chain to reduce environmental impact and improve ethical behaviours
We make it our responsibility to assess our suppliers and make sure they’re introducing best practices - if they’re not as green as they could be, we work with them to bring them in line with our sustainability roadmap
We have a 60% reduction in supplier road miles through our supply chain solution with Wincanton
We have recyclable packaging targets set for all suppliers; bird food is already 100%
We are aiming for 100% Sedex membership by FY22
We use environmentally-friendly packaging on all items delivered to customers
Home and gifting
100% of our own brand production in spa, textiles and décor is undertaken in Smeta or BSCI audited factories
40% of our own brand candles and room fragrance, and 50% of our textiles are manufactured in UK to reduce carbon footprint
We have increased our range growth with brands such as L’Occitane and Treat Republic who champion sustainability and ethical manufacturing
We are increasing the range of soy and natural wax candles from 9% to 60% of the range
In FY21 we will eliminate single use plastic and actively work with suppliers to reduce packaging by at least 25%
Pet and birdcare
We have transferred 100% of Dobbies own-label bird food into recyclable packaging = 50,000 bags per annum
We have introduced sustainable products covering 5% of ranged lines
New brands have been introduced that use plant-based and ethically sourced materials and ingredients
Our stores and offices
We keep our daily energy use to a minimum by lowering our energy requirements and, where possible, generating our own renewable energy
We have LED lighting in all stores
Biofuel currently provides 50% of our heating requirement. Biofuel heating is installed as standard in the most recent generation of new-build stores, providing 50% of heat requirement with corresponding reduction in natural gas use and CO2 emissions
We have an environmental management system that gives stores an individual target for reducing their energy and water use
Junk mail and non-sensitive paper waste is recycled. Shredded confidential paperwork is also recycled
Envelopes are reused where possible for internal use
Used electrical items are recycled in accordance with the WEEE
Print cartridges are recycled
Point of Sale is produced relative to the size of each centre to ensure that we do not print more than is necessary
Restaurants
Our restaurants offer healthy light snacks, low fat or fat free products as well as vegan and vegetarian options
We offer low salt options
We endeavour to cater for all food allergies and preferences
We do not offer straws
All takeaway products are fully recyclable
We have both compostable takeaway cups and reusable cups - we offer 25p off all refills
Used fat is collected for recycling
Supporting charities and communities
Our National Charity Partner is Teenage Cancer Trust and we have donated over £1m to this amazing cause
We supply gardening content for the Stroke Association’s My Stroke Guide, and collaborate on their gardening campaigns
Dobbies Garden Centre partners with The Tree Council as a Jubilee Partner ahead of tree and hedgerow planting
For more info about the charities we support, click here
We have partnered with Too Good To Go to minimise food waste
We have launched Helping Your Community Grow. For more info, click here