Environmental and Sustainability Policy

Recycling	Peat	Best Buys
Chemicals	Pets
Protecting Endangered Forests	Carrier Bags
Carbon Impact	Local Products
Supply Chain	Company Cars
Electrical Recycling	Battery Recycling

Notcutts makes an unequivocal commitment to high standards of eco-efficiency whilst balancing the needs of commercial sustainability. All of our employees, our suppliers and customers have an important part to play in the successful socio-economic implementation of our strategy.

Notcutts recognizes the necessity for responsible environmental protection. prudent use of natural resources; stable levels of economic growth and social progress which recognises the needs of everyone. Notcutts recognises the global nature of sustainability and the importance of cooperation in achieving these aims.

The creation of gardens makes a very positive contribution towards the beautification and improvement of the environment.  Apart from the aesthetic effect of the garden, it contributes substantially towards the creation of wildlife habitats and a favourite social pastime of many millions of the UK population, contributing to both their physical and mental well-being.

We are lucky to be in a business which has natural environmental and sustainability benefits but we are striving to constantly improve.

Notcutts believes that it can make its business more sustainable and kinder to the environment in the following key areas:

Recycling

We recycle 75% of waste in the Garden Centres through plastic and cardboard recycling

We have recycling facilities at all of our Garden Centres for both plastic pots and polystyrene boxes (generally from bedding plants). We have been recycling pots for 3 years and polystyrene for the last year. As far as we are aware we are the only UK retailer to offer the facility to recycle polystyrene. It is our intention to move away from polystyrene to bio-degradable packs in the future once the technology has been proven and is economic.

(We understand that The Garden Centre Group recently withdrew its pot recycling due to the challenges of recycling the variety of plastics involved but we have no plans to follow suit).

Peat

We are committed to the reduction of peat both in terms of bagged growing media for use by gardeners as well by our plant suppliers. We are supportive of the Government target for amateur growing media products to be peat free by 2020 and are playing an active role towards this.

We have achieved ‘Full Member’ status of the Growing Media Initiative (GMI) following a recent audit of the bagged growing media we sell to the public.  Being a ‘Full Member’ of the GMI shows that at least 55% of the total volume of growing media and soil improver sold by the business is made of non-peat material.

Andy King, CEO of Notcutts, comments: “We are very proud of being the first Garden Centre group to become a full member of the Growing Media Initiative. Notcutts has always been supportive of the Government target in making amateur growing media products peat free by 2020 and we are now playing an active role in helping to achieve this target. Notcutts’ commitment to improving the quality of our growing media lies hand in hand with our dedication to providing quality garden  products for our environmentally conscious customers, to ensure they can achieve the very best results.”   

For further information about the Growing Media Initiative contact HTA Business Development on 0118 930 3132. Email: info@the-hta.org.uk

Our range of bagged growing media offers the consumer a wide choice of both peat free and reduced peat products that all demonstrate the quality results demanded by our customers.

UPDATE! In April 2012, we launched our own brand peat-free compost. Available in all of our centres now. We don't currently sell compost online, but plans may change in the future, so keep checking back!

Chemicals

We offer a choice of solutions (organic, natural and man-made) to gardeners to help them tend to their plants, vegetables and lawns. We always ensure that all legal guidelines are adhered to for chemicals and their testing.

It is our intention to minimise or eliminate the use of PVC across all of our product ranges and packaging. We do not use Brominated Flame Retardant in any of our products or production processes.

Pets

Notcutts support pet ownership, and offer a selection of pets for sale in a responsible and licensed environment, open to the daily scrutiny of members of the public. Notcutts manage their pet & aquatic Centres to very high standards and have been operating for over 20 years using qualified and dedicated Pet and Aquatic staff, many of whom have won awards for their knowledge and dedication to animal care.

We follow the conditions laid out in the code of practice cited by the Pet Care Trust, which was developed in consultation with the British Veterinary Association and the Association of District Councils. Our Head of Buying for our Pet departments was until recently a Board member of the Pet Care Trust and is now a member of their Livestock Panel.

Notcutts sources animals and birds only from reputable suppliers who are thoroughly checked by us to ensure that the animals and birds are captive bred in the UK and raised in an environment which meets the conditions specified in the Notcutts Breeders charter – copy available for inspection on request at any Notcutts Pet Centre.

Notcutts supports Animal Aid's objective to ensure that pets are never bought on impulse and train staff to operate clear policies and procedures to deliver that aim. In further ensuring that animals and birds are not bought on impulse, Notcutts strongly recommend that pets are not purchased as Christmas presents and will not sell pets for collection in a period 7 days prior to Christmas. Pets which are to be housed outside are also not sold for the week surrounding firework night to avoid any stress that could be caused by noise around this time.

All livestock is offered for sale in good health and has been correctly weaned and cared for. Animals and birds in Notcutts Pet and Aquatic departments are housed in accommodation suited to their needs and are continually monitored to ensure they are in peak condition. Regular contact with qualified veterinary surgeons is part of our management process to ensure continuing good health for all animals and birds in our care.

Notcutts staff are trained in, and passionate about, the care of animals and birds and are fully committed to ensuring that they are only sold to caring homes. Notcutts operate a thorough and rigorous questioning process to ensure potential new pet owners fully understand the implications and responsibilities of pet ownership. All livestock are only sold when an appropriate housing set up has been put into place, and Notcutts support the Rabbit Welfare Association’s “a hutch is not enough” campaign to ensure that rabbits are given sufficient space and ability to exercise. The RWA have endorsed our range of hutches.

Notcutts will not sell an animal or bird to any customer without proof of address, and staff are empowered to refuse to sell an animal or bird to anyone who they do not consider will give the animal or bird a good and caring home. Discount is not offered to customers on any livestock, as this is felt to be inappropriate.

In order to ensure that all animals are homed happily, Notcutts offer a 4 week 'satisfaction' period after the sale of every animal. During this period, if for any reason the animal does not settle into their new home, Notcutts will take the animal back in order that it can be re-homed into a more suitable environment.

Notcutts are proud supporters of the Pet Care Trust Charity and the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association. Both organisations are committed to improving standards of care for livestock, to promoting responsible Pet ownership, and to improving the education and understanding of livestock needs throughout all categories.

Protecting Endangered Forests

All of the timber we use in our Outdoor Furniture is F.S.C certified. We have worked with both organisations over the last 6 years to ensure we are employing best practice and preserving endangered resources.

Our Indoor Furniture is sourced from sustainable North American Oak and is F.S.C approved as well as satisfying all U.S compliance regulations.

All of our other wood products including Fencing and Tools are FSC certified.

Carrier Bags

We do offer customers a carrier bag if requested. It is suitable for recycling and is degradable. We also offer a large reusable Jute bag at a very reasonable price to encourage purchase.

Carbon Impact

Notcutts is continually working to reduce the carbon footprint of the company.

There has not been an independent audit of the carbon impact of the company but three years ago, the new management team set about a programme that focused on reductions. This included energy management.

In 2009 the Vickers V16 energy management system for gas was introduced to all Garden Centres.

The E.on Business Energy manager system is currently being installed in all Garden Centres to monitor and manage use of electricity.

The target is for a like for like reduction each year.

There are some additional initiatives at individual sites e.g. Staines Garden Centre has a bore hole and Woodbridge Garden Centre harvests rainwater for the loos.

Any new builds will have an adopted target of BREEAM rating-good or better.

Notcutts owns 3,635 acres of forestry in Scotland – we know that this is clearly considerable carbon off set but we do not have accurate figures.

These forests also make a significant amenity contribution to the local areas.

Local Products

As part of our local community we source products locally where we are able. It is our policy to stock excellent quality plants and to support local and British Nurseries. 94% of our plants are sourced and grown in the UK with 40% from within 10 miles of our Head Office in Woodbridge. We also source food locally and we have local cakes, jams, eggs, chutneys and beers in most of our Garden Centres.

Supply Chain

All of our Far East supply chain have signed up to full compliance with applicable local laws and also international regulations for core rights for their employees. The benchmark standard is SA8000 which is based on the UN Declaration of Human Rights, Convention on Rights of the Child and various ILO Conventions. This includes the following 8 core areas which are:

• Working hours (no more than 48 hours a week for normal hours and maximum of 12 hours overtime)
• Compensation/Wages (Meet minimum wages and be sufficient to meet basic needs of workers and their families)
• Underage labour (No-one under 16 years)
• Forced labour/Disciplinary measures
• Freedom of Association/Representation
• Discrimination
• Working conditions/Health facilities
• Discipline

Battery Recycling 

As a distributor of batteries we run an in-store take back scheme, for recycling old batteries free of charge. This runs at all of our Garden Centres.

There is no obligation to buy new batteries when bringing back an old battery.

Find out more information on WEEE recycling, and locate your local recycling centre at www.recycle-more.co.uk/batteries

Environmental Best Buys At Notcutts, we are committed to sourcing as many of our products from environmentally sustainable sources as possible. Our green 'Best Buy' logo appears next to items with reduced environmental impact. Our best buy badge is often supported by findings from independent authorities. For example, in June 2011, Ethical Consumer Magazine recognised Notcutts as the highest scoring company for it's ethically sourced wood furniture.