B&Q in new drive for water efficiency
Posted: Monday 26th February 2007
As part of its comprehensive environment strategy, B&Q has launched a range of water efficient products, bringing them to the UK mass market for the first time.
Water efficiency is easy to achieve and B&Q is aiming to help consumers understand how they can contribute and make a difference. It is not widely known that the UK has less available water per person than almost every other European country. London is drier than Istanbul, and the South East of England has less water available per person than the Sudan and Syria. Water is also scarce in parts of Scotland, Wales, Ireland and even the Lake District. Large scale drought is occurring in the UK, with the lowest rainfall, groundwater and reservoir levels for decades. As the summers continue to grow hotter and drier, it is essential that consumers and businesses become more actively involved in water conservation and efficiency.
The key to water-efficiency is reducing waste, not restricting use. Consumers can help reduce waste by making small behavioural changes such as mending leaks, not leaving taps running and by choosing more water efficient products.
- While it is raining regularly, it is the right time for people to start collecting rainwater in water butts, ready to use during the drier months
- Saving water makes good economic sense and has environmental and social benefits
- Water efficiency can save a third of water consumption. And when combined with rainwater harvesting savings can reach 50%
Water efficiency does not have to be expensive and B&Q’s new range of water-saving products varies from underground water butts to ‘click save’ taps that greatly reduce the flow of water. B&Q is encouraged that customers are increasingly looking for environmentally friendly products and our water efficient range is just part of a whole product offering designed to give consumers more choice.
B&Q has a long history of innovation and leadership in the field of social responsibility and has been recognised for its achievements in this area. As part of its bid to help consumers understand the importance of water efficiency, B&Q is working in partnership with Waterwise, an independent not-for-profit UK NGO focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK. In association with Waterwise, the B&Q is also launching a simple guide for consumers outlining easy and low-cost tips for reducing water wastage in the UK.
B&Q has been actively monitoring its water consumption since 2003 and has a target of reducing mains use in the total store estate by 10% (to 366 litres per m2 of internal retail floor space) by the end of 2008, compared to a 2003/04 baseline of 406.6 litres.
Ian Cheshire, chief executive of B&Q, said: “This is a long-term issue – climate change means that the whole of the UK can expect more floods and droughts. B&Q has been committed to helping consumers reduce their impact on the environment since the early 1990s and working together with knowledgeable partners like Waterwise, we’re able to affect real long-term change rather than looking for quick fixes. We are responding to a genuine consumer interest in environmental issues by helping everyone to see that taking a few simple steps they can save money and the environment, at the same time.”
Jacob Tompkins, Director, Waterwise, said: “Because we live in a rainy country, we can be forgiven for not fully understanding the importance of water efficiency. Each person in the UK currently uses about 150 litres of water every day. This consumption level is not sustainable in the long-term and if we do not take action now, climate change, population shifts and behaviour mean the UK will face increased water stress in the future. We are pleased to be working in partnership with B&Q; their experience of retailing environmentally responsible products is invaluable to the cause.”
