Oak Furnitureland has announced a series of new initiatives and the creation of a new head of sustainability role, as it takes further steps to become a more environmentally responsible retailer.
A new tree-planting partnership with One Tree Planted will see 100,000 trees reforested by the end of 2022 in areas around the world in which Oak Furnitureland sources or sells its hardwood products. In addition, two new initiatives with Clearabee and the British Heart Foundation will provide Oak Furnitureland's customers with sustainable furniture removal options, to help reduce the amount of furniture sent to landfill.
As part of its sustainability journey, the company has also signed up to the BRC’s Climate Action Roadmap, committing to net-zero emissions by 2040. As part of its efforts to meet this ambition, Oak Furnitureland will ensure its 75 showrooms are converted to 100% renewable energy by the end of 2022. Oak Furnitureland will also create a new head of sustainability role, dedicated to driving the environmental transformation of the business.
Alex Fisher, chief executive of Oak Furnitureland, comments: “These new initiatives show how invested we are in putting sustainability at the heart of our business model. We’re excited to continue this momentum as we welcome our first-ever head of sustainability to the Oak Furnitureland leadership team in the new year.
“We recognise that there’s more to be done to meet our environmental responsibilities, but we are making positive changes to the way we operate to ensure our planet and our business are both able to prosper for many years to come.”
These new initiatives build on previous sustainable investments, including: enlisting independent sustainability consultant Avieco to conduct a materiality assessment, which helped shape the framework for how Oak Furnitureland will become a more sustainable business; converting 90% of its 75 showrooms to 100% renewable energy to date, with a new commitment to convert the final 10% by the end of the year; and tracing 100% of all hardwood used across its products back to source.
