Jenkinson’s is committed to sustainability and continuously strives to reduce our environmental footprint while promoting social responsibility.
This report outlines our key sustainability efforts and the progress we’ve made against our 2023 strategy and targets.
These significant advancements have been made possible through the dedication of our team and the commitment of our supply chain.
Below are the details of our achievements:
Energy Use: In 2023, we installed solar panels at our Knowsley site, enabling us to harness renewable energy to power our operations and reduce our reliance on non-renewable sources. As a result, our energy consumption in 2024 has decreased by 54% compared to the previous year.
Waste Management: We prioritise recycling and the responsible disposal of waste materials. Through our recycling program, we diverted 650 tonnes of waste in 2023 from landfills.
Emissions: We initiated the transition of our company car fleet to 100% electric vehicles, leading to a 24% reduction in emissions from company transportation. Additionally, we installed electric charging points in our staff car park, which has resulted in an 18% decrease in fuel consumption and encouraged more staff to switch to electric vehicles.
FSC Accreditation: We achieved FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) accreditation, which ensures that our products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. This certification not only reinforces our commitment to sustainability but also gives our customers confidence that they are purchasing furniture sourced from ethical and environmentally responsible supply chains.
Employee Well-being: We are committed to creating a safe and supportive work environment. Feedback from our regular staff suggestion box has shown increased workplace satisfaction, and led to the introduction of additional holidays, more flexible working arrangements for our staff and the provision of fresh fruit daily.
Community Engagement: We actively support local communities through charitable donations and volunteering. This year, we contributed 550 hours of volunteer work and donated £3,000 to support local causes, including those championed by our customers.
Employee Development: We prioritise the growth and development of our employees by offering training and upskilling opportunities. In 2023, we launched a mentorship program. This initiative has improved employee satisfaction and enabled staff to progress in their careers, with 10% of employees promoted internally during the year.
Supporting Local Business and Economy: We are committed to sourcing locally and increased our spending with Northwest-based suppliers from 75% to 88% in 2023. This not only stimulates local economic growth but also fosters stronger relationships within our community. We actively champion small, medium, and micro-sized businesses for their innovation and job creation potential, while also supporting social enterprises that align with our values of social equity and environmental responsibility.
Cost Savings: Through the reuse and refurbishment of existing furniture, we saved our customers over £250,000 in new furniture costs while preventing 30 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This approach not only delivered significant financial savings for our customers but also contributed to our sustainability goals.
Job Creation and Skills Development: By engaging in local projects and supporting the growth of small businesses, we have helped create jobs and contributed to the upskilling of the local workforce. This has led to our recruitment of additional team members including two new installers a marketing executive and salesperson.
We aim to reduce our carbon emissions by 21% over the next 5 years, setting us on track to achieve a 50% reduction by 2030 compared to our baseline year of 2018.
Jenkinson’s has committed to net zero by 2050 and has set a reduction target for 2024 of 6% against financial year 2023.
For the next reporting year, we project that carbon emissions will decrease to 902.16 tCO2e
Further targets for 2024 include:
– Reduce emissions from business travel by 8%
– Reduce emissions from employee commuting by 5%
– Reduce emissions from electricity by 12%
– Reduce waste (packaging) by 40%
Emissions Reduction: After reducing our vehicle emissions by 52% over the past five years, we are committed to completing the transition to a 100% electric vehicle (EV) fleet by Q4 2025. Onsite EV charging points have already been installed, providing convenient access for colleagues to recharge their vehicles.
Waste Reduction: Acknowledging the significant impact of packaging on our carbon footprint, we aim to reduce packaging waste by an additional 40% by Q4 2025. Although we currently achieve zero waste to landfill, our focus will be on minimizing packaging at the source through bulk packaging, reusable alternatives, and exploring packaging-free options where possible.
EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme: In 2025, we will introduce an EV-only salary sacrifice scheme to support colleagues who do not have a company car in leasing an electric vehicle at a competitive rate. This initiative is designed to reduce personal travel emissions. To encourage participation, we have already installed charging points on-site.
Jenkinson’s is dedicated to continuous improvement in our sustainability efforts. We will continue to set and achieve ambitious goals to minimise our environmental impact and contribute positively to society.
