Policies - Environmental Action Plan
Our Environmental Action Plan sets out how we identify, manage and reduce the most significant environmental impacts connected with our products and operations. It applies to our UK operations, Tier 1 suppliers, key product categories, raw material sourcing, packaging, transport and logistics.
Most of our environmental impact sits within our supply chain. We therefore focus on practical improvement, long-term supplier relationships and areas where Nkuku can exert meaningful influence.
Material environmental issues
Our environmental assessment identified seven priority areas:
- Energy use and emissions in glass and metal manufacturing
- Water use and wastewater management in textile and finishing processes
- Responsible sourcing of natural materials, including timber and fibres
- Chemical use and hazardous substance management
- Waste generation and disposal
- Greenhouse gas emissions from transport
- Packaging materials and their end-of-life impacts
Responsible raw materials
- Improve traceability for key raw materials, particularly timber and natural fibres
- Prioritise responsibly sourced, recycled or certified materials where practical
- Consider environmental impact during material selection and product development
- Reduce material waste through efficient design and durable products
Energy and manufacturing emissions
Glass and metal production are significant impact areas. We will work with suppliers to understand energy sources and use, identify efficiency opportunities and share good practice. Potential actions include more efficient furnaces and equipment, production planning that reduces rework, and a gradual move towards cleaner energy where local infrastructure allows.
Water and wastewater
Water use and pollution are particular concerns in textile and finishing operations in water-stressed areas. We will work with suppliers on water efficiency, responsible dyeing and washing, and effective effluent treatment where required. We will use dialogue, assessment and improvement plans that reflect local infrastructure and environmental conditions.
Chemical management
We set expectations for the handling, storage and disposal of dyes, solvents, adhesives and surface treatments through our supplier standards. We will continue to explore safer substitutes where they are available and compatible with product quality and traditional techniques. Training and accurate documentation support this work.
Waste and circularity
- Encourage suppliers to reduce production waste and improve waste segregation
- Explore appropriate local recycling routes
- Use product design, packaging and quality control to reduce breakage, rejects and returns
- Increase reuse and recycling where evidence shows a lower-impact outcome
Packaging
We will continue to reduce material use, eliminate unnecessary plastics and increase recyclability while protecting fragile products. Product protection is essential because damage and replacement also create environmental costs.
Transport
We will reduce transport impact through shipment consolidation, better container use and efficient packaging. We will prioritise lower-impact transport options where practical and work with logistics partners to improve emissions data.
Governance and monitoring
Senior leadership is accountable for environmental performance. Environmental considerations form part of supplier management, product development, sourcing, business planning and risk assessment.
We will monitor practical indicators such as:
- Supplier engagement and completed improvement actions
- Reduction initiatives implemented
- Packaging changes and material substitutions
- Evidence from supplier visits and audits
Progress may be incremental. We will communicate material challenges as well as achievements.