What is your environmental policy?
At The Cotswold Company we are committed to sustainable and ethical trading. We make products that last for years, not months, and we focus on style not fashion. We insist that our suppliers use wood from sustainable sources and do not exploit their workforces. Where possible we source from UK manufacturers and are keen to protect traditional methods of cabinetry and woodwork.
An increasing proportion of our cardboard packaging is recycled, and we recycle all packaging that is returned to us after delivery.
Is all of your wood from sustainable sources?
Yes, we insist upon it.
Are you FSC certified?
Our FSC certificate number is FSC-GBR-896. Whilst we already insist upon sustainably-sourced wood, we appreciate that many of our customers want the reassurance provided by FSC-certification. We are working with our existing suppliers to help them to acquire FSC accreditation, and are constantly looking for new suppliers who are able to manufacture FSC products to our level of quality and reliability. We have suffered a number of set-backs with suppliers who claimed to be FSC accredited, but turned out not to be, and we are working closely with FSC UK to weed out these rogue companies.
We already have a number of FSC-certified products and will be adding many more during 2008 and 2009.
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 | What is your carbon footprint?
We are not currently able to measure the carbon footprint of our individual products or that for the company as a whole. We hope to be able to perform this complex calculation in the future, but in the meantime we are reviewing ways in which we can reduce our footprint in absolute terms.
| Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations
All European Member States including the U.K. have agreed to reduce the amount of WEEE that is being disposed of in landfill sites. Some WEEE can be re-used or recycled. If we can keep WEEE out of landfill sites it means there is more landfill space available for non-recyclable waste. WEEE can also contain hazardous substances. When left in landfill sites the hazardous substances in WEEE can damage human health and the environment.
All new electrical goods (after 13th August 2005) should now be marked with the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol (shown right) and should be disposed of separately from normal household waste.
Distributors of new Electric and Electronic Equipment (or EEE) have a part to play in reducing the amount of WEEE going into landfill sites. The Cotswold Company have contributed by helping to fund the improvement of the UK's recycling network. This means that you can not return your WEEE to us for disposal. You can however return your WEEE to a local Civic Amenity site for free. Click here to find your nearest recycling centre. |  |
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