B&Q claims to be first retailer to buy 100% renewable wood

It’s been a long road for the chain which started sourcing sustainable timber twenty years ago when it was challenged about green policies by environmentalists.

Two decades of progress meant that by last year more than 90% of B&Q’s timber products were traceable to responsible sources and, from this month, it will be 100% the company has claimed.

From garden furniture to kitchens more than16,000 products at B&Q contain wood – either as timber or as a wood derivative, and the chain is now committed to only buying products that are traceable to sources that have met legal, social and environmental standards that have been independently verified.

B&Q director of corporate responsibility, Matt Sexton, said: “This is a milestone for us as we show our support for responsibly managed forests.

“We’ve been working very hard to close the gap and hope that other retailers will follow as we lead the way in sustainability.

“B&Q will continue to work together with suppliers and independent regulators to ensure full transparency with its timber policy.”

Mr Sexton added the policy applies to all timber derived products from the products obviously derived from trees like sawn timber, wallpaper, flooring, doors, furniture, hand tools, books, decking, fencing, firewood, sheds, paint brushes, windows, garden furniture, plywood to those where the wood is hidden like mirror backs, garden tools and even baths.

Luke Walsh