Sustainability can be complicated, involving data and obligations, but that doesn’t mean you have to face it alone. To help you reduce your carbon emissions and prepare your business for future Government rules and regulations, The Tile Association’s Sustainability Working Group is available to answer your sustainability questions. Through regular meetings, it continues to steer the industry’s efforts to improve its environmental impact, helping TTA members and the wider industry play their part in achieving Net Zero by 2050.
Large organisations with turnovers of £10 million+ are already preparing or working to these rules, however we believe small businesses will need to be prepared too. Getting to grips with sustainability helps you safeguard not only people and the planet, but your business. The following advice is designed to help you start or advance your sustainability journey to protect your interests.
See how leading examples are taking initiative
In collaboration with some of its members, TTA has produced a series of case studies now available on its ‘Ways to Be More Sustainable’ website page to help inspire sustainable action. Manufacturer and distributor Nicholls & Clarke Group, contractor Telling (Finishings) Ltd and retailer Topps Group have all demonstrated how they are committed to sustainability in their sectors.
These companies are represented on the Sustainability Working Group and, among all group members, play an important role in TTA’s sustainability leadership.
Nicholls & Clarke Group has aligned its company initiatives to integrate sustainable practices into every facet of operations, marking a major milestone in its 150-year history with significant sustainability initiatives that make the company an innovative industry leader. This includes switching to electric-powered fleet vehicles, harnessing solar powered energy, energy-efficient tile manufacturing, recycling initiatives and sustainable product sourcing.
Telling (Finishings) Ltd has been monitoring key data, including travel mileage and fuel usage across its fleet, energy and utilities management, and waste management including recycling. This data has been useful for clients and has enhanced the contractor’s reputation in conjunction with accreditations via Constructionline Gold, the Common Assessment Standard, and the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
Topps Group has integrated environmental leadership into its core strategy, focusing on circularity and carbon reduction, making notable strides over the past three years under its ‘Environmental Leadership’ programme. In the last year, publishing its first Scope 3 emissions marks a significant milestone. Other highlights include reducing tile waste and, as a signatory of the UK Plastic Past, ensuring recyclability of own-brand plastic packaging.
Get involved with the Supply Chain Sustainability School
For contractors, undertaking learning and earning accreditations helps to promote your skills and increase confidence in your service.
With over 50,000 members, the Supply Chain Sustainability School is an award-winning virtual learning platform around sustainability aiming to upskill those involved in the built environment sector. Its learning covers the three core pillars of sustainability – Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors – looking at key issues ranging from carbon management through to combating modern slavery. The School runs over 350 sessions a year, from introductory webinars to in-depth, interactive workshops.
Individuals can register to the Supply Chain Sustainability School for free. Large businesses, SMEs or education providers can also pay to become a Partner, gaining the resources to build the skills of your workforce and supply chain. Learning goes toward Bronze, Silver or Gold membership status, demonstrating your level of dedication. These accreditations can be used in tenders, pitches, social media, email signatures, and marketing materials to boost your professional credibility.
Find out more, register or become a partner now. Visit: www.supplychainschool.co.uk
Source tiles responsibly
Available on TTA’s ‘Ways to Be More Sustainable’ website page, ASCER’s ‘The Secret Ingredient’ campaign and Confindustria Ceramica’s ‘I Choose Responsibly’ campaign promote sustainability in the ceramic tile industry. They focus on highlighting the efforts of tile manufacturers to implement environmentally friendly practices, improve energy efficiency, and reduce their carbon footprint. The aim is to help retailers and distributors better understand the sustainability credentials of the products they are purchasing and selling.
TTA has continued to strengthen its trade relations with Spain through ASCER and Italy through Confindustria Ceramica, coordinating member trips with extremely positive feedback. These educational visits demonstrate how sustainability continues to be a key focus for tile innovation, which is also reflected each year in the latest trends showcased at international trade shows Cevisama and Cersaie.
As a reminder, TTA has always encouraged its members to use responsible sourcing practices when importing tiles from overseas. Tile importers are advised to check where they are importing their tiles from and the standards they meet.
Available resources for members who wish to find out more about these issues include BES 6001, a framework standard for responsible sourcing by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) set up in part by the Construction Products Association (CPA). It enables construction product manufacturers to ensure and then prove that their products have been made with constituent materials that have been responsibly sourced. Note that the country of origin should be printed on the back of a tile and on the edge – if it is not, then the tile doesn’t meet the standard BS EN 14411: 2016.
For more information find sustainability advice on TTA’s website. Email membership@tile.org.uk or call 0300 365 8453 with any sustainability questions or to get involved with the Sustainability Working Group!
www.tiles.org.uk/sustainability/
0300 365 8453
