Screwfix has slashed its direct carbon emissions by 50% since 2021/22, despite increasing its store count by over 100 in the period.
The DIY store says it has cut direct carbon emissions (scope 1 and 2) by 50% from over 23,000 tonnes since 2022. The cut comes despite Screwfix growing from 790 stores to more than 900 stores in that time.
The trade retailer said the cut was driven by a move away from fossil fuel heating to air source heat pumps in over 639 stores and a switch to HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) in delivery vehicles across 85% of the fleet.
Screwfix said it 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. It is also now working to measure and reduce indirect and product related (scope 3) emissions, as it works towards net zero carbon.
The ‘Let’s Fix Tomorrow, Today’ programme launched in 2021, with the 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 also reported that sales of refurbished products reached £2m last year at Screwfix and the retailer is planning to double its refurb operation this year, investing a further £1,000,000 into its distribution centre at Stafford.
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It says this will enable the refurbishment of water-based products (pressure washers, showers and taps) and high-value non-electrical products.
In 2023, Screwfix labelled more than 1,500 products with its Green Star, highlighting options with a lower environmental impact and making it easier for customers to shop sustainably. The number of Green Star products will double to more than 3,000 by Summer 2024.
Other highlights include 83% of waste being recycled last year, with 17% incinerated – with the heat generated captured to create electricity. Since 2018, over 99.5% of waste has been diverted from landfill.
The retailer is launching waste reporting and a paper printing dashboard to support store colleagues with tracking and avoiding unnecessary printing where possible.
Matt Compton, Screwfix commercial director, said: “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.
“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.”
