Screwfix has reduced its direct carbon emissions by 50% since 2021/22, despite growing from 790 stores to more than 900 stores.
In 2021, Screwfix’s direct carbon emissions measured more than 23,000 tonnes, in 2022 it was 18,900 tonnes, and by the end of 2023 it had decreased to less than 11,000 tonnes.
The fall in direct carbon is driven by a move away from fossil fuel heating to air source heat pumps (which use cleaner electricity) in over 639 stores, with more added every month, and a transition to HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) in delivery vehicles across 85% of the fleet.
Made from 100% waste materials, HVO is an alternative fuel that uses renewable feedstocks and food wastes, including cooking oil. HVO diesel not only helps Screwfix minimise carbon emissions but also reduces the impact transport has on air quality.
The retailer is committed to replacing fossil fuel heating in all stores and transitioning the remainder of the delivery fleet to HVO, to halve its Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions again within the next two years. Screwfix is also now working to measure and reduce indirect and product-related emissions, as it works towards net zero carbon.
Screwfix’s ambitious sustainability strategy, ‘Let’s Fix Tomorrow, Today’, launched in 2021, with the trade retailer pledging to eliminate carbon emissions, reduce and recycle waste, source responsibly, keep products in use for longer, sell sustainable products and provide sustainable packaging.
Screwfix continually gathers insight from customers about how important sustainability is to them and ensures that this insight shapes the strategy and its six main pillars. The retailer has achieved many milestones across each pillar of the strategy so far.
Sales of refurbished products reached £2m last year and Screwfix is planning to double its refurb operation this year, investing a further £1,000,000 into its distribution centre at Stafford. This will enable the refurbishment of water-based products (pressure washers, showers and taps) and high value non-electrical products.
“Our colleagues tell us that working for a responsible retailer is really important to them and we have achieved some phenomenal milestones that we’re really proud of," says Matt Compton, Screwfix Commercial Director. "We know there is much more to do and we’re committed to going even further to reduce our impact on the environment and make it even easier for our customers to shop more sustainably.”
