Responsible business

Find out how we're encouraging sustainable solutions in our stores and in our customers homes and discover our commitments to people and the environment.

Together we can do it. B&Q build a life project.

B&Qs Build a Life Project, launched in June 2023, is our commitment to being a more responsible business.

We have a long-standing heritage of helping make sustainable choices easier for customers, reducing our operational impact on the environment, and helping communities.

We’re committed to acting and reporting with transparency on the progress we're making against our targets.

B&Q Build A Life Project Report 2024

Our first B&Q Build a Life Project Annual Report 2024 report explains our performance against our targets to date and highlights the actions we have been taking.

You can read the full report here:

Read the B&Q Build A Life Project Report 2024

The Build a Life Project Dashboard illustrates the different ways in which we, as a business, are continuing to improve. We work to constantly better the impact of our products, services, and operations for our customers, communities and colleagues.

Net Zero by 2040 for scopes 1 and 2 and 2050 for scope 3.

Carbon emissions 63.5% reduction in scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions across our operations since 2016/17.

56% reduction in intensity of our Scope 3 emissions £ turnover from the supply chain and customer use of products since 2017/18.

Decarbonising our logistics network. Our logistics carbon footprint has reduced by 28% since 2016.

Waste management 99% of our waste is diverted from landfill.

Sustainable packaging. Introduced our B&Q Sustainable Packaging Guidelines with ambitious targets to reduce packaging waste and increase recycling including by 2030 at least 30% recycled plastic in packaging and 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging.

Responsibly sourced wood 99.3% of the wood and paper used in our products is responsibly sourced. Founding members of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) 30 years ago and launched our first timber policy in 1991.

Reducing the impact of the products we sell. 60.7% of our sales were from products with more sustainable features.. and/or that delivered more sustainable benefits to our customers.

Energy use. Our total energy use is down by 34% in the last 10 years.

Energy use and 99% of the energy we purchase is from renewable sources.

Move to peat-free. Since 2023 we've been 100% peat-free for all bagged composts. And by 2026 we will sell only 100% peat free B&Q branded plants. (We first launched peat-free compost in 1991).

Improving gender equality. 45% of management roles currently held by women.

Standing for inclusivity. 6 Colleague networks and advisory groups.

Raised/donated over £3.1m to support our charity partners and local communities.

Learning for life. Over 2,000 colleagues have completed or are undertaking apprenticeships.

Volunteering. 33,726 hours donated to support local communities.

Community impact. 718,083 people benefitting from our community programmes.

Our goal is to continue making changes to improve as a business and we will do this through two priorities, we call our pillars – Planet and People.

Planet

Products

We’re continually introducing more sustainable products to help build a better world, one garden at a time.

Find out more

Services & advice

We want to make sustainable choices easier for our customers, helping them to create healthier, more sustainable homes.

Find out more

Operating with integrity

In our own operations, we're committed to reducing our impact on the planet to help build a better world.

Find out more

People

Colleagues

Our colleagues are the beating heart of B&Q and we’re committed to creating an environment where every one of our colleagues can feel they are included and belong.

Find out more

B&Q in the community

We proudly support initiatives that make a difference in our communities, and partner with those who share our vision to help build a better world.

Find out more

FAQs

For frequently asked questions, see FAQs.