We’re determined to buy the products we need – to sell to customers and for our own use – in a responsible way.
We review our product sourcing policies and ensure that our suppliers understand them and comply with them. Our product sustainability policies cover:
Timber
We stock timber and wood-based products sourced from certified or
known and legal sources, or made from recycled material. We work
with suppliers of products that meet our minimum standards to help
them move towards certified sourcing.
Use of natural
resources
We recognise that the uncontrolled sourcing of animal products,
plant species, minerals and growing media (earths and composts) can
have serious effects on local eco-systems. When possible we source
from cultivated or farmed rather than wild stocks.
Paper and Timber sourcing
For the last two years, we've printed all our publications,
including the Argos catalogue, on recycled paper or paper from
forests certified as well-managed by the FSC (Forest Stewardship
Council) or the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest
Certification). All our publications can be recycled after use. The
Argos catalogue is PEFC certified, giving us full chain of custody
throughout our supply chain.
Both Argos and Homebase are members of the WWF-GFTN (World
Wildlife Fund -Global Forest Trade Network).
This year, 91% of our timber based products were FSC certified or
from other certified or known and legal sources. All the new
range of garden furniture sold by Argos and Homebase is FSC
certified or sourced from suppliers who are members of
WWF-GFTN and working towards FSC certification.
Use of natural resources
This year the average peat free content of our growing media
increased to 58.8%, although customers still prefer cheaper multi
purpose compost. We aim to achieve 60% next year. We've supported
and funded the UK Industries Growing Media Initiative (GMI) and are
actively involved in the peat debate through our membership of this
organisation.
We also support the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) call for the government to introduce statutory targets to end peat use in both retail and professional horticulture.
Cosmetics
All Argos own-brand cosmetics meet the Humane Cosmetics Standard,
an internationally recognised scheme run by the British Union for
the Abolition of Vivisection.
Chemicals
Our priority is to reduce the use of chemicals in our own brand
products that may present environmental or other risks if released
into the environment. We focus primarily on chemicals that may be
present in the final product (rather than intermediates used in
manufacture) because these can be more directly tested and
controlled. We've canvassed support from our suppliers in removing
any chemicals in the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)
list.
You can find out more about our sustainable sourcing policies in our corporate responsibility website - www.thebasisofgoodbusiness.com.