Progress to Date
Sustainability
Our People, Product, Planet framework shapes our approach to environmental and social governance and enables us to demonstrate, monitor and improve our performance to drive our business forward sustainably.
A key facet of this approach is a focus on resource depletion and pollution, ensuring responsible use and maintenance of planetary resources. We believe we have a responsibility to protect and preserve our planet and have the ambition to reduce our impact on the environment.
In order to drive positive change in this area, we have identified 8 core targets, aligned with the Green House Gas Protocol standards, to achieve by 2025. We will communicate our progress against these targets and update them at key milestones to reflect our longer term aim of carbon neutrality by 2035.
Progress Key:
Green – Achieved
Amber – Target
Red – Outstanding balance
1. ENERGY FOOTPRINT
ELECTRICITY
Baseline: 100%
100%
2025 Target: 100%
100%
Progress so far: All of our UK sites are powered using electricity from renewable sources.
GAS
Baseline: 0%
0%
2025 Target: 100%
100%
0%
Progress so far: Transition to ‘green gas’ using biomethane or ‘scrubbing/filter’ cleaning function are being explored.
2. ROAD FREIGHT
REDUCTION OF CO2 PER MILE
2020 Baseline: 0%
0%
2025 Target: 20%
20%
0%
Progress so far: Collaborative approach with logistics providers to understand their initiatives for green solutions.
3. SOURCE OF ORIGIN
PRODUCT – % OF RECYCLED MATERIAL
2020 Baseline: 0%
0%
2025 Target: 10%
10%
0%
Progress so far: Eco Nature collection uses 100% recycled material. Whilst the use of recycled paper plays a key role in sustainability, paper fibres cannot be recycled indefinitely. Cellulose fibre from wood, which is a naturally renewable source, is a fundamental raw material in papermaking. Without virgin fibres from new trees, the paper cycle can neither begin nor continue. To protect this cycle, we will balance the use of recycled paper with the purchase of virgin paper from sustainably managed forests.
PACKAGING – % OF RECYCLED MATERIAL
2020 Baseline: 35%
35%
2025 Target: 50%
50%
35%
Progress so far: Eco Nature collection uses 100% recycled material. Whilst the use of recycled paper plays a key role in sustainability, paper fibres cannot be recycled indefinitely. Cellulose fibre from wood, which is a naturally renewable source, is a fundamental raw material in papermaking. Without virgin fibres from new trees, the paper cycle can neither begin nor continue. To protect this cycle, we will balance the use of recycled paper with the purchase of virgin paper from sustainably managed forests.
4. REMOVAL OF SINGLE USE PLASTIC (CURRENT CONTENT)
PRODUCT – % PLASTIC FREE
2020 Baseline: 78%
78%
2025 Target: 88%
88%
78%
Progress so far: Replacement of plastic components used to paper alternatives where possible, e.g. bag handles and cracker ties.
PRIMARY PACKAGING – % PLASTIC FREE
2020 Baseline: 23%
23%
2025 Target: 60%
60%
23%
Progress so far: Initiatives include – shrink free roll wrap solution, naked single cards and removing/replacing plastic with board alternatives
SECONDARY PACKAGING – % PLASTIC FREE
2020 Baseline: 72%
72%
2025 Target: 85%
85%
72%
Progress so far: Alternative solutions being reviewed to remove or replace poly bag inners.
TERTIARY PACKAGING – % PLASTIC FREE
2020 Baseline: 10%
10%
2025 Target: 40%
40%
10%
Progress so far: Trials to remove plastic tape on cartons with a paper tape solution. Working collaboratively with our logistic providers to understand transit packaging alternatives.
5. RECYCLABILITY
PRODUCT
2020 Baseline: 67%
67%
2025 Target: 80%
80%
67%
Progress so far: Removal of all non-recyclable finishes and ensuring ‘green’ materials are used where possible.
PRIMARY PACKAGING
2020 Baseline: 71%
71%
2025 Target: 90%
90%
71%
Progress so far: PRIMARY PACKAGING
6. WASTE TO LANDFILL
AVOIDANCE OF WASTE TO LANDFILL
2020 Baseline: 100%
100%
2025 Target: 100%
100%
Progress so far: There is zero landfill from all of our UK sites.
7. REGIONAL MANUFACTURE
MANUFACTURED IN THE UK/EU
2020 Baseline: 59%
59%
2025 Target: 64%
64%
59%
Progress so far: Eco Nature greetings and stationery collections manufactured in the UK. Maximising our in house UK manufacturing site capabilities and working with our 3rd party UK suppliers to re-shore products where possible.
Sustainability Case Studies
Case Study: Reducing Single Use Plastics
We are actively removing single use plastic from our packaging to create more sustainable Celebrations, Gifting, Stationery, and Creative Play categories.
Lucy Regan, Supply Chain Controller and Sustainability Ambassador at DGUK, shares the journey taken by the teams across the UK offices.
Case Study: Eco Nature Expansion
“Utilising innovation and new product development helps to drive a point of difference and improve the Made in the UK product offering.”
Katie Brickle, Brand and Communications Manager, shares the exciting developments for Eco Nature.
Case Study: Building a Sustainable Culture
We strive to create a working environment where our employees feel supported and valued, with their achievements recognised and rewarded.
Melanie Jenkins, HR Director and Sustainability Ambassador at DGUK, shares our vision for our talented and dedicated teams.