B & Q To Use Responsibly Sourced Wood

In February 2011, B&Q, the largest home improvement and garden retailer in the UK, announced that it is the UK’s first major retailer to achieve its goal of only buying timber products from proven responsible sources following a campaign that spans over 20 years.

In 2010, just over 90% of B&Q’s timber products were traceable to responsible sources but from last month, the retailer is able to confirm that 100% of its timber products are from well-managed, sustainable sources. Blazing a trail in this arena, it is obvious that the pressure will now be on rivals to match B&Q’s achievement.

B&Q began its sustainable timber campaign around 20 years ago when it was challenged on where its wood was sourced. As part of this journey, it became a founding partner in the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – considered one of the most important initiatives in promoting responsible forestry management globally.

B&Q have consistently improved upon their timber credentials and have been awarded one of the largest chains of custody certifications under the FSC as well as the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) in the world. The retailer is highly committed to helping forests achieve credible certification and to this end, works with organisations such as The Forest Trust, to help producers obtain FSC certification.

When it surveyed its customers, B&Q found that 92% of respondents said they would choose responsibly sourced timber every time if there was no additional cost.

B&Q stocks over 16,000 products which contain wood either as timber or as a derivative. Its sustainability commitment means that it now only buys products traceable to sources which have fully met legal, social and environmental standards which have been independently verified. This policy covers all manner of products from wallpaper to flooring; doors to books; and even mirrors, baths and garden tools.

B&Q’s Forest Friendly Campaign highlights the importance of checking the sustainability credentials of timber before buying – this means endangered species and habitats will be protected and ensures that local communities are preserved. It is of paramount importance to biodiversity that forests are made commercially viable so that communities do not introduce deforestation in order to clear space for ventures they consider more profitable like palm oil production or cattle ranching.

Forest Friendly Forestry stipulates that trees are only taken from areas at a rate at which they can be replenished. For example, in B&Q’s tropical plywood, it is only allowed to fell six trees from an area the size of three football pitches – this area is then left to regenerate naturally for 20 years.

Max Sexton, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for B&Q says: ‘Today is a milestone for B&Q as we show our support for responsibly managed forests. We’ve been working very hard to close the gap and hope that other retailers will follow as we lead the way in sustainability.   Our Forest Friendly campaign continues to raise awareness of the need for consumers to demand that their timber products come from well managed sources and now our customers can shop safe in the knowledge that B&Q only buys products that conform to this. Each of our 330 stores are covered by our own FSC and PEFC chain of custody certification and customers can see on their receipts which products are certified under which scheme as well as looking at the label on the timber product.’

B&Q’s sustainable timber policies saw it top Greenpeace’s Garden Furniture League table, every year it took place (2004 - 2006).  For the last four years B&Q has also provided FSC timber for a skate ramp Greenpeace has built and taken to Glastonbury as a fun way to engage with people about the importance of deforestation and responsibly sourced timber products.

B&Q Timber Policy is:
•         FSC Certified Sources with FULL chain of custody certification.
•         PEFC Certified Sources of non tropical species with FULL chain of custody certification under the following exceptions:
•         PEFC certified sources of European wood acceptable with full chain of custody certification and confirmation that all material used originated in Europe.
•         Other sources of PEFC certified wood accepted when supported with full chain of custody certification AND evidence of independent assurance that the sources comply with the requirements of the FSC controlled wood standard (FSC-STD-40-005).
•         Products made from pre- or post-consumer waste recycled.