Bathroom and kitchen solution provider AKW has been investing increasing time and money in benefiting the environment and local communities.
As a result, the company has reduced single use plastic packaging waste, improved recycling, helped customers save water and committed to 300 business days of employee volunteering this year.
It provides more evidence of how businesses in all areas of the UK, including the FM sector, are increasing their focus on social value.
Environmental improvements
It is in the process of reducing single use packaging and packaging reviews are taking place across its product portfolio. To date, 98% of single use packaging for shower screens and waste pumps has been replaced with a biodegradable alternative; saving 2.3 tonnes of single use plastic packaging going to landfill each year. In addition, recycling efforts across the business have been accelerated and 100% of polythene and cardboard waste is now captured and recycled.
The company has also been promoting water saving practices by redesigning key products within its ranges to promote efficiency. A water saving campaign, including a guide and competition has been very successful and already approximately 1,500 ‘take shorter showers’ timers have been given out to customers and end users, with many more planned for distribution in coming months.
Giving back to the community
Along with supporting the local community with food bank donations, Easter egg collections, and a range of charity fundraiser events, it has also launched its Helping Hands, UK-wide employee volunteer scheme. This involves allocating 300 days of work time per year for employees to volunteer for a cause they are passionate about. In addition, the company – based in Droitwich – continues to support the Warrington Disability Partnership as its charity partner, with product donations and specific fundraising events planned for 2023.
Group chief executive officer Nick Parsons said: “It is important for us as an industry to invest in environmental, social, and corporate governance. Here at AKW, we are committed to investing in opportunities that make a real difference to our employees and the communities we are involved in. Although there is still so much more to do, here at AKW, we are very proud of the impact our range of initiatives have had so far on our local community and the wider environment.”
