OUR ROADMAP TO NET ZERO

Since our inception in 1777, we have been at the forefront of innovation and excellence. As pioneers of the world's first hairbrush factory, our products have not only graced the heads of British royalty for three centuries, but have also stood the test of time, epitomising quality, and resilience. Throughout our history, including during times of war, our brushes have been a symbol of our dedication to craftsmanship and reliability, serving millions on the front lines.

Our legacy is one of strength and perseverance, fuelled by the unwavering support of our dedicated employees, valued customers, and trusted suppliers. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have been part of our journey.

In 2019, we acknowledged the urgency of climate change and recognised that the year 2040 represents a crucial deadline, not just a date. It marked the beginning of our concerted effort to not just participate but lead in the global movement for environmental sustainability.

In collaboration with our colleagues, customers, and suppliers, we have developed a strategic roadmap towards a sustainable future. This involves a comprehensive evaluation of our environmental impact and the implementation of sustainable practices at every level of our operations.

Our progress thus far has been significant, yet we understand that this is just the beginning of a long and important journey. Our goal is clear: to achieve net zero for our entire business and value chain by 2039/40, putting us a decade ahead of national targets. This ambitious plan, referred to as Plan A, is not a solo endeavour but a collaborative mission with precise milestones set for 2025/26, 2029/30, and 2034/35.

We invite you to join us on this transformative journey. Together, we can create a legacy that transcends our time- a legacy of a healed planet and a sustainable future. Let’s make every step count towards a greener tomorrow.

Our journey so far:

2019: Building the Foundation (Scope 1)

• Quality & Environment: Implemented ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environment) certifications to establish a strong foundation for monitoring progress and achieving environmental goals.
• Greener Infrastructure: Upgraded factory infrastructure and machinery to reduce the carbon footprint of operations.
• Packaging Progress: Planned to shift towards sustainable packaging and provide clearer guidance to consumers on recycling and responsible disposal.

2020: Powering Up with Renewables (Scope 2)

• Solar Power: Installed solar panels on the entire factory roof, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.
• Renewable Energy: Switched energy suppliers to a renewable energy provider, further decreasing the company's environmental impact.
• Packaging Revolution: Transitioned most packaging to recyclable materials, promoting responsible end-of-life practices.
• Supplier Scrutiny: Assessed suppliers based on their carbon footprint, encouraging greener practices throughout the supply chain.

2021: Deepening Sustainability Efforts (Scope 3)

• Factory Optimisation: Continued improvements within the factory to minimise energy consumption and waste generation.
• Electric Vehicle Transition: Installed electric car chargers and encouraged employees to switch to electric vehicles, reducing transportation emissions.
• Sustainable Sourcing: Achieved FSC certification and began producing brushes with FSC-certified wood, ensuring responsible forestry practices.
• Travel Reduction: Implemented strategies to reduce sales team travel, minimising carbon footprint associated with business activities.

2022: Continuous Improvement and Transparency

• Supply Chain Spotlight: Conducted comprehensive audits and assessments of the entire supply chain, identifying areas for improvement, and fostering collaboration with suppliers on sustainability goals.
• Energy Efficiency Focus: Conducted detailed assessments of fuel and energy-related activities to pinpoint opportunities for further optimisation and reduction.

2023: Closing the Loop (Scope 1 & 3)

• Waste Management: Implemented a comprehensive waste management system to minimise waste generation and ensure responsible disposal or recycling.
• Travel Optimisation: Continued efforts to reduce business travel and explored alternative communication methods.
• Brush Take-Back Program: Launched a program to offer customers free return of used brushes for managed recycling, preventing them from ending up in landfills.
• Local Sourcing: Initiated plans to prioritise sourcing materials from closer suppliers, reducing transportation emissions and environmental impact.

2024: Innovation and Circularity

• Circular Sawdust: Developed a plan to utilise sawdust generated during production as a sustainable fuel source for a nearby brick factory, minimising waste and creating a circular economy approach.
• Supply Chain Transparency: Conducted full audits of the entire supply chain to ensure continued adherence to sustainability principles and identify further opportunities for collaboration.
• Educate and engage employees in sustainability initiatives.
• Carbon Footprint: Planet Mark assessed and certified our carbon footprint to 91.6 tCO₂e. We plan to reduce this by 5% per employee by the following year.

Short-term targets (2024-2025):

Energy:

• Increase the proportion of on-site renewable energy generation to 50% by 2025.
• Reduce overall energy consumption by 15% by 2025 through efficiency measures.
• Switch to electric vehicles for all company-owned transportation by 2025.
• Optimisation of our solar panels on factory roof by including onsite battery.
• We are planning to have Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) certificates for the electricity we use.

Materials:

• Increase the use of recycled content in packaging to 80% by 2025.
• Source 60% of wood from FSC-certified forests by 2025.
• Implement a take-back program for used brushes to recycle or compost materials by 2025.
• Expanding of our FSC certified wood.

Waste:

• Reduce overall waste generation by 20% by 2025.
• Achieve zero waste to landfill by 2025 through recycling, composting, or energy recovery.
• Recycling bins

Long-term targets (2025-2040):

Energy:

• Achieve 100% renewable energy use across all operations by 2040.
• Become a net zero energy producer by 2040, generating more renewable energy than consumed.

Materials:

• Develop and implement closed-loop systems for all materials used in brush production by 2040.
• Eliminate all single-use plastics from packaging by 2030.

Carbon Offsetting:

• Offset all remaining carbon emissions through high-quality carbon offset projects by 2040.

Invest in research and development:

• Investing in innovative sustainable materials and technologies.

Collaborate with suppliers and partners:

• Improve sustainability throughout the supply chain.