Sustainability CIRCULAR ECONOMY continued Prioritising Keep products in lower-impact materials use and promote PLASTICS AND PACKAGING responsible recycling In May 2021 we published our first Plastics and We will help our customers engage in the circular Packaging Policy (available on our website) and economy by offering and promoting services now have six related metrics and targets (see which prolong product use and sustainable living. page 43). In June 2021 we issued our second Sustainable Packaging Manual to our supply RECYCLING AND COLLECTION SERVICES base. This includes our requirements to bring In FY21, following research into customer attitudes our packaging standards in line with legislation towards recycling, collection and second-hand changes affecting plastic packaging in April 2022. products, we introduced services with a range of POLICY partners. British Heart Foundation and Clearabee, We cannot eliminate all packaging but are for example, take back bulky items (such as committed to reducing its environmental impact mattresses, beds, bedroom furniture and living by using less packaging (for example, by reducing room furniture) either free or at discounted rates, bag sizes and film thickness), better packaging and we are activelypromoting the WEEE take-back (introducing recyclable materials and a higher electrical scheme (see page 55). In July 2021 we percentage of recycled or certified content), announced our Group charity partnership with and aiming for a fully closed packaging loop. Mind and are exploring how we can best work with Mind to encourage customers to donate unwanted homewares products for resale in Mind charity We are focusing initially where we can make shops. the most impact: opportunities in high-volume customer-facing packaging (for example, bedding We encourage the local selling of old or unwanted and blinds) and transit packaging (for example, products via our community Facebook groups and bags, sheeting and air cushions). We have removed Facebook marketplace (see Community, page 65) around 110 tonnes of virgin plastic packaging and aim to extend these initiatives in FY22. from our supply chain and have identified many more opportunities to increase the ‘recyclability’ ofIn Autumn 2021 we trialled our first quilts and existing packaging and the percentage of recycled pillows take-back scheme in 18 stores, allowing content to remove virgin plastic. us to recycle feathers and hollow fibres. We aim to refine and roll this out based on our trial results. 14 tonnes CARE AND REPAIR We have already removed 14 tonnes of virgin Our online and in-store tips for everyday care plastics from our pillow and duvet packaging. and repair can improve product life, save money, and reduce waste and environmental impacts by, LOWER-IMPACT MATERIALS for example, using lower washing temperatures We are also proactively working with suppliers to and dosing detergent correctly. For dry clean introduce more recycled and responsibly sourced only products, we partner with Green Earth, a materials intoour product ranges, for example in sustainable dry-cleaning company that discounts our ‘The Edited Life’ range. We aim to report on prices for Dunelm products. progress against our new target next year. PRODUCT AND PACKAGING RECYCLING We continued to roll out On Pack Recycling Labelling to make it easier for customers to understand the best disposal or recycling options for packaging. As part of our ‘circular economy’ ethos, we aim, in time to provide instructions on how on how to disassemble products for easier recycling. 54 DUNELM GROUP PLCANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2021