Sustainability Policy 2023

Introduction

Eco Benchmade Ltd. operates the brand “Habbio” and we believe we have a duty to; our employees, customers, community and the environment, to operate our business sustainably. The following sustainability policy identifies our commitment to continuous sustainable
improvement.

Action Statement

We have created our sustainability policy to guide our operations in a dedicated, but more importantly, transparent way.

It is our mission to create furniture which does no harm, enriches our community, eliminates products to landfill and considers the whole lifecycle of the materials we use. We have a firm commitment to producing furniture which is better for the health of our customers, employees and the environment. As well as, taking ownership of the products we produce and their impacts.

We support the three pillars of sustainability which are planet or environment, social or people, and profit or economics.

Our management is responsible for empowering our employees to implement and sustain this policy.

However, to provide the greatest impact and success of this policy we will collaborate with all stakeholders of our business.

Sustainable Sourcing

Procuring sustainably means considering the environmental, social and economic impacts of the product or service over its lifetime, such as: design, use of non-renewable material, methods of manufacture and production, logistics, operation, maintenance, reuse, recycling options and disposal; plus our suppliers’ capability to address these impacts throughout the supply chain.

Specifically we will:

• • Audit our supply chain to provide benchmarks for sustainability, and implement processes to consistently improve.
  • Conduct all operations in-line with our fair working conditions and modern slavery policy.
  • Not source raw materials from areas of conflict, natural habitat destruction or community displacement.
  • Collaborate with 3rd party chain of custody bodies to ensure the true and fair provenance of our materials. Included but not limited to; FSC, Oeko Tex, GRS and Fairtrade.
  • Increasingly source materials from circular or natural/non-toxic/biodegradeable sources.
  • Reduce and ultimately remove materials which come from non-renewable sources.
  • Where possible look to source within the UK and support local community enterprises.

Waste and Recycling

Procuring sustainably means considering the environmental, social and economic impacts of the product or service over its lifetime, such as: design, use of non-renewable material, methods of manufacture and production, logistics, operation, maintenance, reuse, recycling options and disposal; plus our suppliers’ capability to address these impacts throughout the supply chain.

Specifically we will:

• • Audit our supply chain to provide benchmarks for sustainability, and implement processes to consistently improve.
  • Conduct all operations in-line with our fair working conditions and modern slavery policy.
  • Not source raw materials from areas of conflict, natural habitat destruction or community displacement.
  • Collaborate with 3rd party chain of custody bodies to ensure the true and fair provenance of our materials. Included but not limited to; FSC, Oeko Tex, GRS and Fairtrade.
  • Increasingly source materials from circular or natural/non-toxic/biodegradeable sources.
  • Reduce and ultimately remove materials which come from non-renewable sources.
  • Where possible look to source within the UK and support local community enterprises.

Utilities Conservation, Energy Usage and Emissions and Advertising

As a manufacturing business we do consume energy and utilities, and we do create emissions. Our commitment is to reduce unnecessary consumption, whilst making the energy we do use as efficient as possible. Our emissions targets are firm and we have committed to being Carbon Zero by 2030.

Our business will use all tools at our disposal, as well as collaboration and assistance from all suppliers, stakeholders and government to achieve our targets.
More specifically our policy is to:

• • Audit our energy and utilities useage to establish a benchmark for sustainable improvements.
  • Introduce an energy and utilities reduction strategy.
  • Reduce water and energy consumption from 21/22 baselines, and report on useage against best practice benchmarks.
  • Move our energy supply to 100% renewable energy in the next 5 years.
  • Limit all unnecessary travel miles for both business operations and transport logistics.
  • Audit our supply chain for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
  • Audit our own operations for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
  • Use science based evidence and current best practice to reduce our emissions, while maintaining business performance.
  • Produce a yearly report on our improvements in reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

Chemical Management

It is our duty to acknowledge the historic harmful chemical use within our industry. And commit to ending the use of harmful chemicals for the health of our customers, employees and the environment.

That’s why we will:

• • Not use any CFC’s, rare earths, isocyanates or chemicals which are harmful to human health.
  • Limit our use of VOC’s and formaldehydes to less than 1% meeting the highest of Reach standards.
  • Work with our customers to innovate and find product solutions which meet the prevailing
    sourcing standards for products, included but not limited to; WELL, BREEAM and LEED.
  • Create a healthy working environment for our employees which limits the use of harmful
    chemicals. And provide the best in training, PPE and workspaces in-line with our Health and Safety Policy.
  • Audit our supply chain for the use of any chemicals hazardous to human health and remove them from our materials base.
  • Adhere to the highest standards and current environmental legislation for the disposal of any chemicals deemed harmful to our community and the environment.
  • Work with our customers when needed to provide Health Product Declarations (HPDs) for our products.

Social Sustainability

At Eco Benchmade Ltd. we consider social sustainability to be just as important as environmental sustainability. Our commitment is to enrich the industry and community which supports us, both within our sphere of influence and our wider supply chain.

We will do this by:

• • Constantly evaluating our operations to provide the best possible sustainable working conditions and policies, for our employees and local communities.
  • Continuing our employee wellbeing programmes. And educate our employees on sustainable practices to maximise our impact both within our business and beyond.
  • Working with all stakeholders to find innovative solutions to aid social responsibility programmes, such as tackling furniture poverty.
  • Designing our products to make the true sustainable choice as accessible as possible to our customers and their clients.
  • Committing to manufacturing all of our products within the UK, in the traditional home of upholstery Long Eaton.
  • Working with local colleges and government to provide training and apprenticeships, to keep traditional skills and techniques alive. Whilst instilling sustainable principles in the next generation of furniture makers.

Monitoring and Reporting

Our commitment to sustainability is honest and of the very best of intentions. Therefore, we commit to being transparent where possible. Eco Benchmade Ltd. will produce an annual report on our sustainable improvements. Which will be in-line with the prevailing best practice.

Where possible we will work with our customers to create Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for our products.

On our journey to Net Zero by 2030, we will produce an annual report on our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

And to ensure the most effective monitoring of this sustainability policy, we will introduce an Environmental Management System (EMS). To be benchmarked against ISO 14001 or similar best practice.

Finally, our main aim is to educate and inform about sustainability in our industry. But to also learn on our journey, from all stakeholders. Our entire sustainability policy will be underpinned by our longstanding commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.

Commitment

Eco Benchmade Ltd. expects all employees, suppliers, vendors and visitors will follow the above policy to ensure the business meets it’s promised sustainability goals.

All executives, employees, suppliers, vendors and visitors have a legal duty to ensure all appropriate environmental laws and policies are being met. For any potential violations please contact info@habbio.co.uk.