Let's start by looking at the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Reduce Packaging – Plastic, Not Fantastic
One of our ongoing main aims is to reduce unnecessary packaging, especially that awful plastic wrap! Many of our suppliers see fit to bundle up fragile equipment in copious amount of plastic, the sole purpose of which is to 'protect' the equipment during transit – then it goes straight to landfill. We are working with all our suppliers to change this!
We are aiming to eliminate this unnecessary plastic and strive to use 100% recycled and recyclable materials so that no packaging needs to end up in landfill, incinerated or exported to other countries to deal with. We'll be making a number of changes to our products to phase out this unnecessary material so please bear with us as this will take some time to complete!
Reuse – Help The World Go Round
The best thing to do to prevent waste and reduce use of resources is to reuse! As well as consuming less yourself you can also help others consume less too.
Decided you have changed your mind on something you've bought or it's not quite right? You can of course return the item(s) to us with our fuss-free returns policy even if the item is faulty. If we find after testing that the item is genuinely faulty then in the vast majority of cases we can simply repair the item rather than throwing it in the bin (which some large multinationals are known for doing).
Items that have been returned and aren't 'box fresh' or have cosmetic damage we sell as refurbished items in our clearance section at a discount. This means they can live a new life with a new owner, rather than being no use to anyone!
See also our WEEE take-back scheme below.
Reduce Waste – WEEE
Never throw electrical equipment into your general waste for landfill.
The Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive requires countries to maximise separate collection and environmentally friendly processing of unwanted electrical items. In the UK, distributors (including retailers) must provide a system which allows all customers buying new electrical equipment the opportunity to recycle their old items free of charge. Those establishing their own take-back scheme must, as a minimum, offer all customers buying new electrical equipment free take back of their old electricals on a like-for-like basis.
Find more information on WEEE recycling, and locate your local recycling centre, at Recycle Now.
Why recycle electronics?
Unwanted electrical equipment is the UK's fastest growing type of waste. Many electrical items can be repaired or recycled, saving natural resources and the environment. If you do not recycle, electrical equipment will end up in landfill where hazardous substances will leak out and cause soil and water contamination, harming wildlife and also human health.
Our Take-Back Scheme
We are pleased to offer our customers the chance to recycle their old electrical items and are happy to take back items on a like-for-like basis. So, if you buy a camera from us, you can return a camera (marked with the WEEE symbol) within 30 days of your purchase from us. Please contact us in advance for our return address.
Alternatively, you can take the appliance to your local civic amenity site or arrange with the local authority to collect the equipment. Some local authorities provide a free collection service.
Recycling
Many of our products arrive at our warehouses from our suppliers and manufacturers in cardboard boxes. These boxes used to get thrown away, as our products are often re-boxed when sent to you. Considering this wasteful, we are experimenting with recycling these ‘old’ boxes. If you receive your order in one of these boxes, then you can be safe in the knowledge that you're helping to reduce landfill!
Anything that can’t be reused is recycled, and confidential paperwork is destroyed by our recycling partner. We also have separate waste and recycling bins for staff use so we can responsibly dispose of glass, plastics and tin from food and general consumables.
Carbon Neutral Delivery
We are in partnership with DPD for our deliveries, and as well as being rather fantastic at delivering parcels, they have a ‘Total Zero’ emissions program designed to offset the emissions generated whilst delivering your parcel. Their vans don’t run on chip fat, but they do plant trees and work with partners to offset their emissions. They are also phasing in full electric vehicles for zero tailpipe emissions. Their email and text services also keep you informed about when they are going to deliver so, hopefully, they will not have to attempt a redelivery.
Find out more about DPD's sustainability programme.
Our other delivery partner, Royal Mail, are also working hard to deliver a cleaner future. More about their sustainable delivery programme.
Transport & Bike To Work
Where possible, we encourage our staff use their feet and pedal-power rather than their car to get to and from work. The option for staff to purchase a bicycle through the ‘Bike to Work’ scheme is always available, and we provide showers and changing facilities at our offices. We also encourage staff who aren't keen on travelling to work on two wheels to car share to reduce their carbon footprint.