Howdens and the Environment

---

Our business interacts with the environment in a number of ways. Where possible we source product and manufacture in the UK; we use timber from a variety of sources; we use energy to transform it into finished products. Each of these processes presents challenges that we must resolve in order to achieve our objective; to set and meet the highest standards of environmental care.

We strive to purchase wood and paper which is certified by either the Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) schemes. These respected independent schemes enable us to source products from suppliers who use sustainable methods to manage their forests.

As you would expect of a company that makes and sells kitchen products, wood plays a central role in what we do. Approximately 80% of the raw material used in manufacturing is wood or wood fibre, and wherever possible the wood is always sourced in a way that is good for the business and for the environment. The preferred option is to buy wood that is certified by either the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) schemes. These respected independent schemes enable the sourcing of wood and paper products from suppliers that use responsibly managed forests.

Howdens Joinery has FSC and PEFC Chain of Custody certificates, which apply to a number of products as indicated in this website. The Chain of Custody certification means that there is an unbroken and documented chain of ownership all the way from the forest, via the mill, the importer, the manufacturer and supplier to the end user.

Environmental Standards (ISO 14001)

Howdens Joinery - Supply has achieved ISO 14001 certification at all manufacturing and warehouse sites. This underlines the company's commitment to not only fulfil environmental policy and legislation, but also to seek continuous improvement in the following areas; raw material usage, energy usage, emissions to air and water, packaging waste, wood waste and alternatives to landfill. These improvements have and will continue to be brought about by striving to meet the targets in the environmental policy and reviewing progress on a regular basis.

Manufactured Products

In 2009, 100% of the wood and cardboard packaging used within the manufacturing processes came from accredited sources.

Bought-In Product

All the finished goods suppliers are monitored, whether in the UK, Europe or elsewhere in the world, to make sure the FSC's requirements are met and standards continually checked, to ensure suppliers throughout the world operate in a fair and responsible way.

Energy

Howdens Joinery remains certified under the Carbon Trust's prestigious Energy Efficiency Accreditation scheme, an accreditation which we have held continuously for more than ten years. All manufacturing and warehouse sites have ISO 14001 accreditation. Howdens operates a fleet of 104 trucks and has decreased the size of the fleet by 34% in the last two years and ensured the entire fleet are Euro 5 compliant.

Efficiency Accreditation

In 2006 a new transport management system was introduced which has helped to create a more efficient fleet of vehicles.

In 2008 Howdens Joinery - Depot Supply and Support Division, maintained the Institute of Energy's prestigious Energy Efficiency Accreditation, which they have now been accredited with continuously for more than ten years.

Waste

This is produced from a combination of manufacturing, distribution, and trade operations. Howdens Joinery continuously seeks efficient ways to use or dispose of waste. Employees are encouraged to consider how the business can improve on its environmental performance in all areas by reducing consumption, re-using materials and recycling wherever possible.

• In 2009, a 20% reduction in the amount of waste produced from manufacturing operations (43,000 tonnes) was made. Over 95% of this waste was recycled.

• One element of "waste" from the manufacturing process is sawdust. In 2009, over 23,500 tonnes of sawdust was converted into energy, with the sawdust fuelling eight wood combustion boilers that burn this waste to heat our factories.

• An interesting point is that during 2009, a returnable "eco-pallet" initiative was introduced resulting in 79 tonnes of transit waste being removed during the year.

WEEE Regulations

As part of the UK's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations, Howdens Joinery has joined the DTS scheme to increase recycling rates of electrical goods in the UK and allow end users to recycle any old electrical items free of charge. All new electrical products that can be recycled carry the 'crossed out wheelie bin' logo to help users to remember to recycle them. For advice on all aspects of recycling, including recycling of waste electronic equipment, please visit www.recycle-more.co.uk where you can also find out the locations of such facilities.