Our Approach to Sustainable ManufacturingAs a UK manufacturer, we understand our impact upon the environment and the ever-increasing importance that we all play our part in reversing climate change. We aim to reach Net Zero Scope 1, 2 and 3 (excluding materials) by 2042 and Scope 3 material-related emissions by 2047. For over a decade now, we’ve been monitoring, tracking and improving our environmental impact, striving to make our business as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible. See our Net Zero progress here. Our Environmental CommitmentIn addition to compliance against all relevant legislation, regulations, Net Zero commitments and our Business Policy Statement core value objectives, we endeavour to take positive action in reducing the impact on the environment and have a measurable programme of focused activities. This includes, but is not limited to;The use of water, energy, natural gas and other resources.The use of any products related to climate change. Waste production, both from our manufacturing and installation processes.Transport and travel. Re-cycling initiatives from raw material to finish goods or waste. Supply chain evaluation of upstream processes (scope 3).Sustainable development objectives are set by the Leadership Team and monitored within the monthly Leadership Team meetings for many areas of the business, including (but not limited to):Widening and integrating all aspects of sustainable development initiatives into all our business operations. Ensuring that we comply with all relevant current and future legislation. Assessing other organisations strategies and learning from them. Setting and measuring performance against specific objectives. Developing our staff and our suppliers to understand our commitment to Net Zero and to sustainable development.Our Environmental LiteratureYou can read more on our environmental commitments in our brochures: Product Carbon Footprint & Environmental Impact Assessments Flexiform Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy Flexiform Environmental, Social & Governance Report 2024Environmental AchievementsUK ManufacturingOur primary goal is to utilise and improve what we have. Our West Yorkshire manufacturing facility is located inside an old tram shed, of historical importance to the surrounding area. We believe it’s important to transform the existing building and structure over producing a new factory environment with harmful CO2 output. We have made significant improvements to our factory to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact including new heating systems, shutter doors, waste filter systems, efficient machinery, upgraded roofing and more. We have added solar panels on the roof to produce renewable energy, contributing 15% of our overall usage.You can see our full list of achievements in our Environmental, Social & Governance Report which is updated annually.Product SustainabilityOur products are built to last, which is why we offer a minimum 10-year warranty on all of our manufactured furniture. By ensuring we manufacture high-quality, long-lasting furniture, we can ultimately reduce the environmental impact for ourselves and our clients.As we are a true manufacturer with specialist in-house skills, we’ve managed to repaint, reconfigure, and transform client’s existing furniture to fit their new office requirements, helping them drastically reduce the impact of their new office fit-out.We are committed to sourcing sustainable materials and producing innovative products with the recent introductions of Papillon 100% recycled chair and Meira eco desk.RecyclingSustainability is not just about manufacturing techniques – recycling and reusing furniture and materials is also vital to lowering unnecessary and potentially harmful wastage. Like any manufacturer, minimising wastage is key for environmental goals and efficiency and we’ve always run our factory as “made to order” to reduce any product or materials waste. We donate any unwanted but functional furniture to charities and schools too.As of 2021, we are a Zero to Landfill company. On average above 95% of all our waste is recycled, and the remaining non-recyclable components are converted into energy (EFW). We’ve improved our waste recycling facilities, increasing waste segregation. By minimising wastage, promoting recycling, and donating reusable furniture to charities and schools, our passion for sustainability goes beyond manufacturing practices – it is ingrained into our way of working throughout the business.For more information, please see our Environmental, Social & Governance Report which is updated annually.Environmental CertificationsFlexiform is committed to continually improving our practices, reducing our impact on the environment and promoting sustainability, and we are certified by FIRA, FISP, FSC® and ISO14001.Flexiform’s FSC® CertificationThe Forest Stewardship Council® is a global forest certification system that assures consumers that the furniture is manufactured from timber and forest products produced from well–managed forests.Flexiform ISO14001 AccreditationISO 14001:2015 demonstrates we are committed to reducing environmental impact and undertake audits evaluating our CO2 output, product life cycle through our Environmental Management System.Flexiform FISP AccreditationThe Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme demonstrates that we are taking our environmental and corporate social responsibility obligations seriously. FISP is backed by the entire furniture industry and is the mark of sustainable excellence.
