DIY sector surpasses waste commitment targets

The DIY sector has surpassed its original targets with an 83% reduction in waste sent to landfill and a 25% reduction in packaging, according to a progress report on the Home Improvement Sector Commitment (HISC).

Set up by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the four-year voluntary HISC had originally set the target of a 50% reduction in waste to landfill from company operations from 2007 levels of 108,908 tonnes.

Yet, in 2012, the DIY sector sent 14,610 tonnes of waste to landfill, representing an 83% reduction.

Signed in 2009, the agreement also set out to reduce own-brand and direct-sourced packaging by 15% from 2007 levels of 113,627 tonnes (see letsrecycle.com story).

But, the sector managed a 25% reduction in packaging used to 74,632 tonnes.

Commenting on the results, Defra minister David Heath said: Cutting waste is not only good for the environment but can help businesses save money and boost economic growth. Its fantastic to see DIY businesses working together to cut waste and unnecessary packaging and exceeding the challenging targets set in this agreement.

Both Scottish environment secretary Richard Lochhead and Welsh minister for natural resources and food, Alun Davies, also commended the results of the HISC.

The HISC agreement, which is now complete, brought together DIY sector retailers, brands and manufacturers representing almost half of the UKs home improvement retail sales. Signatories included AkzoNobel UK Decorative Paints, Argos, B&Q, Crown Paints, Henkel, Homebase, and Wickes.

WRAP

WRAP chief executive Liz Goodwin said the results were deeply impressive and she congratulated the signatories on their achievements after a testing time for the sector.

She said: Overall, the activities of all signatories have improved product and packaging design that make recycling easier. There is now clearer recycling guidance for suppliers and consumers, particularly with the greater use of the on-pack recycling label in store.

Following the completion of the HISC, however, WRAP, signatories and UK devolved authorities have decided not to set additional waste and packaging reduction targets. Instead, signatories have agreed to monitor trends in packaging and waste arising for a further year and report these back to WRAP.

Examples of initiatives introduced by HISC signatories include B&Qs award-winning re-usable packaging system for home delivery of kitchen worktops, delivering the firm 1 million savings each year; Crown Paints paint pot take-back scheme and the firms achievement of zero waste to landfill; and the increase in recyclable content of AkzoNobel UK Decorative Paints polypropylene paint pots.