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Further information:

‘Make a difference’: www.johnlewis.com/eco

Sustainable timber:

available on www.johnlewis.com


Sustainable timber

We first developed our policy on timber product sourcing in 2004. We have made a commitment to ensure that timber used in our products has been sourced with the least possible damage to the natural environment. Since making this policy commitment, we have made steady progress in implementing a staged approach across the major buyerships of wood products.

In 2009, 83% of our outdoor range was Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and we are on track to have 100% of our outdoor furniture independently certified in time for the 2010 season. We continue to communicate our approach to our suppliers and in May 2009, we held a Supplier Timber Day, attended by indoor furniture suppliers as well as representatives from FSC and ProForest. This helped us to define our future targets for indoor furniture and we are now working on targets for other wood-based products.

Spin-off project

Concerned about reported poor labour standards and human rights violations in Uzbekistan’s cotton industry, we recognise we must do more to understand the depth and complexities of the supply chain for our cotton products. In collaboration with an external consultancy, we have started to map the provenance of the cotton used in the furnishing textiles from one of our suppliers. This is a challenging task as cotton supply chains typically include many different processes; nevertheless, we are committed to applying the lessons learned from this work to the remainder of our cotton supply base, both in home and fashion.

Cafés with a conscience

Showing that our commitment to responsible sourcing, British farming and ethical food standards is truly Partnership-wide, John Lewis restaurants:

• only use fish sourced from well-managed, sustainable fisheries, and Red Tractor-certified beef, lamb, pork, chicken and turkey
• source fresh produce from UK-based Red Tractor- or LEAF-accredited growers wherever possible
• stock coffee blended from 100% Fairtrade arabica beans, as well as Fairtrade sugar and tea
• sell hot chocolate that helps to fund wells in Ghana, and One water, which supports fresh water systems in Africa (see page 21).

In addition, our disposable plastic cups and plates are all recyclable, we are striving to reduce packaging, and at some stores, food waste is composted. Last year, John Lewis won a Good Egg Award from Compassion in World Farming for its work on sourcing free-range eggs for customer and Partner catering.


83%

John Lewis outdoor range Forest Stewardship Council accredited in 2009


Leading lights:

John Lewis and Waitrose have both signed up to a voluntary agreement with Defra and other retailers to phase out inefficient incandescent light bulbs by 2012. To date, this was completed for all 75–100W bulbs in Waitrose and John Lewis in January 2009, and John Lewis now stocks 90 types of energy-efficient bulbs.


Greener ways to play:

John Lewis has a selection of toys with eco-credentials to help children to learn about the environment and protect the planet. They include fully biodegradable, compostable and recyclable PlayMais building bricks; the solar-powered Solar Go Go car; a Potato Clock kit; the Ecoboo range made entirely from sustainably sourced bamboo; and a cuddly sheep, that doubles as a rattle, made from bamboo and organic cotton.