TDP Sustainability Strategy
Working together for positive environmental and social impact
OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY Working together for positive environmental and social impact.
We have used more than 3,300 tonnes FOREWORD of recycled rigid plastic waste in our products preventing huge quantities of We are in the midst of a planetary emergency. Climate discarded plastic from going to land昀椀ll. change is intensifying and from rising sea levels to extreme weather events, we are seeing the consequences across the globe. Greenhouse gas levels are at an all time high and without fundamental changes to the way we operate, we are on course for temperature rises far higher than the Paris Agreement target of 1.5%. We all have a role to play in redressing the balance, not least the business community. When Anna and I set up TDP more than three decades ago, we were already passionate about sustainability, be it generating our own energy, supporting the circular economy by using recycled materials, or treating people fairly and with respect. That ethos has fed into the culture of our business and shaped everything we do. This is re昀氀ected in our pledge to Net Carbon Zero and our commitment to transform plastic waste into locally designed and handcrafted outdoor furniture. In recent years we have built a portfolio of products from picnic tables to commemorative benches, planters to nest boxes. From our modest base in rural Wirksworth, we have used more than 3,300 tonnes of recycled rigid plastic waste in our products. We take immense pride in the fact that we are supporting circularity and preventing huge quantities of discarded plastic from going to land昀椀ll and polluting our beautiful Blue Planet. Despite our credentials, we can’t rest on our laurels. We are on a sustainability journey and are excited to continue 昀椀nding even better ways of balancing the demands of People, Pro昀椀t and Planet. We have teamed up with consultants from Wylde Connections to implement TDP’s sustainability strategy and will use that to help take our business to the next stage of growth. Rob Barlow Managing Director Produced in collaboration with our Sustainability Partners Wylde Connections Ltd – www.wyldeconnections.co.uk O Product featured: Riber bench Cover image: Iceberg at 67 S, just past the Antarctic Circle – © Rob Barlow Sustainability Report 2022 1.1
Product featured: (left) Bradbourne Picnic Bench and (right) Denby Table SUSTAINABILITY Respect for people, environments, JOURNEY and sustainable resources. TDP's business strategy is based on a respect for people, environments, and sustainable resources. Its furniture supports customers in making more sustainable choices. Growing consumer awareness about the damage plastic waste causes the natural world is increasing demand for products made from recycled waste. We are already well ahead of the game. Our furniture products are manufactured from 100% recycled UK plastic lumber, which have the aesthetics of wood, with the durability of plastic. Customers can make a sustainable purchase without compromising on quality. By selecting TDP you are not only helping meet net zero, but can enjoy beautifully designed, hand-crafted outdoor furniture that will last you for decades. We work with organisations including suppliers, universities, climate action programmes and circular economy organisations to measure the environmental impact of recycling plastic waste. Our recycled plastic garden furniture is made from 100% British waste. Reducing plastic waste in our rivers and oceans and the impact on biodiversity. Product featured: Dale Bench Product featured: Nest Box
Using recycled waste IN 2021 WE SAVED takes 88% less energy 350 TONNES OF than making plastic PLASTIC WASTE FROM with raw materials. GOING INTO LANDFILL, RIVERS AND OCEANS This saved... 2,100,900 kWh of electric saved. 200,000 gallons of oil being used to make new plastic. 8,029 cubic metres of waste going to land昀椀ll, our rivers or oceans. 2,100,000 tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.
Product featured: Dale 1.8m Bench with Litton Planter SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS TDP’s recycled plastic garden furniture is made We take pride in the materials we use, which from 100% British waste. Our most popular come with a 20-year warranty. TDP designs and products include seats and benches, furniture manufactures many di昀昀erent products which for children and schools, planters, and memorial are available in a range of sizes and colours. benches. All our products are manufactured to These are made from recycled planks with last and are of the highest quality. TDP has held specialist producers. the international ISO certi昀椀cation since 2005 and is currently on the latest version 9001 2015. Not only do our products have strong environmental credentials, they are also strong, durable and maintenance free. Unlike those made of wood, they do not splinter, can be left out all year round and CROMFORD CHAIR are too heavy to be blown away in the wind. Every tonne of recycled plastic in TDP’s products saves: Saves 138kg of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. Saves 0.5 cubic meters of plastic that would otherwise 5,774 kWh 570 have gone to land昀椀ll. kWh of electricity gallons of oil The equivalent of recycling 22.94 13,708 bottle tops or more 98 million cubic meters than 2,300 plastic bottles. BTUs of energy of land昀椀ll Product featured: Cromford Chair Product featured: Cromford Chair
SUPPORTING THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY Combating climate change will require economic as well as environmental solutions. Key to that is challenging the traditional accepted model of producing, using, and discarding. A linear consumption model does not help the collected by the council, sorted, cleaned, chipped, race to reach net zero and secure a sustainable and ground into pellets. Specialist companies future. It generates a huge amount of greenhouse then heat these pellets and mould them into gases and waste, whilst putting further strain on plastic planks called pro昀椀les which TDP uses to our planet’s limited resources. make its furniture. Any waste produced during the production process goes back into the The solution is to develop systems that are recycling process. restorative rather than consumptive. In a circular economy we reuse and re-engineer rather than By supporting the circular economy, that means discard, design out waste and ensure materials that fewer trees are cut down to provide timber are fed back into a virtuous circle. for outdoor furniture and far less plastic ends up in land昀椀ll. Our aim is to build on this by creating a TDP’s business model is based on keeping send-back scheme when they reach end of life. materials in the value chain. When someone drops rigid plastic into the recycling bin, it is Product featured: Dovedale Picnic Bench
OUR SUPPLY CHAIN SUSTAINABILITY and minimise our carbon footprint. Our main Having a robust and supplier operates an injection moulding system sustainable supply chain to produce the pro昀椀les from recycled plastic. is key to TDP’s success. All of TDP’s suppliers have been vetted for Over the last 30 years, our business has good environmental and sustainable practice developed close working relationships with our in a process which reviews areas including suppliers and we have formed partnerships with quality, material sourcing, modern slavery, key players in the recycling sector to ensure we and employment practices. We work closely have access to quality materials. with our supply chain to reduce the amount of waste materials by requesting that Our business is committed to sourcing all suppliers minimise packaging and look at materials from UK sources to manage quality environmentally friendly alternatives.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TDP is committed to putting people 昀椀rst, be it employees, suppliers, customers or members of the local community. Our employees are our greatest asset. Some of our local community. Maintaining trust and an our team members have been with the business open dialogue is key to those relationships and for more than 20 years. Our sta昀昀 are valued and we take our responsibility as a local employer respected and we are committed to investing in very seriously. Waste, tra昀케c pollution and energy talent and providing the training and tools our consumption are obvious key issues and we sta昀昀 need to excel. We pay our sta昀昀 above the continually strives to limit the e昀昀ects of our day- living wage and they are free to join or form trade to-day operations through close collaboration unions. We encourage them to raise concerns with suppliers and haulage companies. with managers, and have an open door policy. We provide a working environment where health and TDP supports a local charity Aquabox, which safety is a priority, and all forms of discrimination provides safe drinking water, through the use is a disciplinary o昀昀ence. of 昀椀ltration units, and humanitarian aid to crisis zones around the world. Collaboration and longevity are at the heart of our relationships with customers, suppliers, and Product featured: Peak Bench Product featured: Peak Bench
PRIORITISING WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO TDP Helping to reduce plastic waste, AND OUR STAKEHOLDERS deforestation and ocean pollution. As part of our strategic review, we explored what Although this is not an exhaustive list of topics, is material to TDP and its stakeholders using a it does provide a visual reference for us to Materiality Assessment as a tool. communicate our aims and objectives. This has helped us to de昀椀ne the environment, It is our intention to continue working closely social and governance topics and issues that are with all our stakeholders and to carry out both relevant and important to our business, our regular reviews as part of our sustainability customers and suppliers, our employees and our action planning. wider community. HIGH compliance product lifecycle supply chain and durability resilience product design plastics recycling employee wellbeing net zero deforestation transportation reduction reducing human UK waste innovation ocean pollution rights management creating lifestyle memories enrichment supporting biodiversity IMPORTANCE TO STAKEHOLDERS community engagement vision & values LOW LOW IMPORTANCE TO TDP HIGH The success of our business is built on the We want to ensure that our values are aligned relationships we have developed and fostered with stakeholder values for the bene昀椀t of people over the past three decades, and this is a and planet. fundamental part of our sustainability strategy. Image: Hidden Lake in Tierra del Fuego – © Rob Barlow
MANAGING OUR IMPACT The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are made up of 17 global goals designed to transform our world by 2030. They cover a whole range of issues seeking to end poverty, 昀椀ght injustice, and tackle climate change. They aim to provide a route to a fairer and more sustainable future and were developed with the help of key stakeholders across the 193 member states, including governments, businesses, academics, and non-pro昀椀t organisations. The SDGs are a useful framework for businesses to adopt for helping to guide their sustainability strategies. We have used the SDGs to help shape our thinking and underpin our actions. ENVIRONMENT www.sdgs.un.org/goals • Our products are designed to be durable, with a long life cycle to reduce impact. • We use 100% recycled plastic in all our furniture products. • Recycled plastic uses 88% less energy than virgin plastic. • Low maintenance of furniture means harsh paints and chemicals are no longer needed. • We are aiming to achieve Net Zero across all our business operations by 2030. SOCIAL GOVERNANCE • As a rural employer we are keen to provide job opportunities to • Our business has always been driven by a social support our local economy. and environmental purpose which is embedded in • We pay higher than the living wage and provide training for all our sta昀昀. our strategy. • Health, wellbeing and safety are paramount in all our operations • TDP works to the highest standards across all its whether it’s in the factory or delivering products to our customers. business operations, ensuring legal compliance, • Community engagement both in the UK and internationally are a high diversity and inclusion, and due diligence. priority. We work with local schools and our chosen charity is Aquabox. • We take a positive and inclusive approach when • We carry out supplier due diligence to ensure legal compliance and engaging with all our stakeholders. good governance.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE We are signi昀椀cantly increasing our use of recycled waste each year, creating a sustainable future for the next generation to enjoy. Product featured: Iguana 1.2
Whilst we are proud of our "THE ONLY LIMIT TO achievements so far we have THE HEIGHT OF YOUR commitment and drive to aim for ACHIEVEMENTS IS THE more, below we share just a few REACH OF YOUR DREAMS of our goals. AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO WORK FOR THEM" Product innovation with sustainability designed in Michelle Obama Investing in people helping our team to grow and prosper Community engagement education about recycled waste use Giving back supporting charity partners Reduce our carbon footprint through continious business improvement
LET'S WORK TOGETHER FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE Product featured: Spectrum Picnic Table 01629 820011 [email protected] www.tdp.co.uk