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Responsible business

Find out how we're encouraging sustainable solutions in our stores and in our customers homes and discover our commitments to people and the environment.

Together we can do it. B&Q build a life project.Together we can do it. B&Q build a life project.Together we can do it. B&Q build a life project.Together we can do it. B&Q build a life project.

B&Qs Build a Life Project, launched in June 2023, is our commitment to being a more responsible business.

We have a long-standing heritage of helping make sustainable choices easier for customers, reducing our operational impact on the environment, and helping communities.

We’re committed to acting and reporting with transparency on the progress we're making against our targets.

B&Q Build A Life Project Report 2025

Our second B&Q Build a Life Project Annual Report 2025 report explains our performance against our targets to date and highlights the actions we have been taking.

You can read the full report here:

B&Q Build A Life Project Report 2024

Our first B&Q Build a Life Project Annual Report published in 2024 can be found here:

The Build a Life Project Dashboard illustrates the different ways in which we, as a business, are continuing to improve. We work to constantly better the impact of our products, services, and operations for our customers, communities and colleagues.

PlanetPlanetPlanetPlanet
Net Zero by 2040 for scopes 1 and 2 and 2050 for scope 3.Net Zero by 2040 for scopes 1 and 2 and 2050 for scope 3.Net Zero by 2040 for scopes 1 and 2 and 2050 for scope 3.Net Zero by 2040 for scopes 1 and 2 and 2050 for scope 3.
Carbon emissions 66.53 reduction in scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions across our operations since 2016/17.Carbon emissions 66.53 reduction in scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions across our operations since 2016/17.Carbon emissions 66.53 reduction in scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions across our operations since 2016/17.Carbon emissions 66.53 reduction in scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions across our operations since 2016/17.
57% reduction in intensity of our Scope 3 emissions £ turnover from the supply chain and customer use of products since 2017/18.57% reduction in intensity of our Scope 3 emissions £ turnover from the supply chain and customer use of products since 2017/18.57% reduction in intensity of our Scope 3 emissions £ turnover from the supply chain and customer use of products since 2017/18.57% reduction in intensity of our Scope 3 emissions £ turnover from the supply chain and customer use of products since 2017/18.
Decarbonising our logistics network. Our logistics carbon footprint has reduced by 45% since 2016.Decarbonising our logistics network. Our logistics carbon footprint has reduced by 45% since 2016.Decarbonising our logistics network. Our logistics carbon footprint has reduced by 45% since 2016.Decarbonising our logistics network. Our logistics carbon footprint has reduced by 45% since 2016.
Waste management 99% of our waste is diverted from landfill.Waste management 99% of our waste is diverted from landfill.Waste management 99% of our waste is diverted from landfill.Waste management 99% of our waste is diverted from landfill.
Sustainable packaging. Introduced our B&Q Sustainable Packaging Guidelines with ambitious targets to reduce packaging waste and increase recycling including by 2030 at least 30% recycled plastic in packaging and 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging.Sustainable packaging. Introduced our B&Q Sustainable Packaging Guidelines with ambitious targets to reduce packaging waste and increase recycling including by 2030 at least 30% recycled plastic in packaging and 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging.Sustainable packaging. Introduced our B&Q Sustainable Packaging Guidelines with ambitious targets to reduce packaging waste and increase recycling including by 2030 at least 30% recycled plastic in packaging and 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging.Sustainable packaging. Introduced our B&Q Sustainable Packaging Guidelines with ambitious targets to reduce packaging waste and increase recycling including by 2030 at least 30% recycled plastic in packaging and 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging.
Responsibly sourced wood. 99.8% of the wood and paper used in our products is responsibly sourced. Founding members of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) 30 years ago and launched our first timber policy in 1991.Responsibly sourced wood. 99.8% of the wood and paper used in our products is responsibly sourced. Founding members of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) 30 years ago and launched our first timber policy in 1991.Responsibly sourced wood. 99.8% of the wood and paper used in our products is responsibly sourced. Founding members of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) 30 years ago and launched our first timber policy in 1991.Responsibly sourced wood. 99.8% of the wood and paper used in our products is responsibly sourced. Founding members of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) 30 years ago and launched our first timber policy in 1991.
Reducing the impact of the products we sell. 64.7% of our sales were from products with more sustainable features.. and/or that delivered more sustainable benefits to our customers.Reducing the impact of the products we sell. 64.7% of our sales were from products with more sustainable features.. and/or that delivered more sustainable benefits to our customers.Reducing the impact of the products we sell. 64.7% of our sales were from products with more sustainable features.. and/or that delivered more sustainable benefits to our customers.Reducing the impact of the products we sell. 64.7% of our sales were from products with more sustainable features.. and/or that delivered more sustainable benefits to our customers.
Energy use. Our total energy use is down by 34% in the last 10 years.Energy use. Our total energy use is down by 34% in the last 10 years.Energy use. Our total energy use is down by 34% in the last 10 years.Energy use. Our total energy use is down by 34% in the last 10 years.
Energy use and 99% of the energy we purchase is from renewable sources.Energy use and 99% of the energy we purchase is from renewable sources.Energy use and 99% of the energy we purchase is from renewable sources.Energy use and 99% of the energy we purchase is from renewable sources.
Move to peat-free. Since 2023 we've been 100% peat-free for all bagged composts. And from Jan 2026 all own-brand plants delivered to our stores will be 100% peat-free. (We first launched peat-free compost in 1991).Move to peat-free. Since 2023 we've been 100% peat-free for all bagged composts. And from Jan 2026 all own-brand plants delivered to our stores will be 100% peat-free. (We first launched peat-free compost in 1991).Move to peat-free. Since 2023 we've been 100% peat-free for all bagged composts. And from Jan 2026 all own-brand plants delivered to our stores will be 100% peat-free. (We first launched peat-free compost in 1991).Move to peat-free. Since 2023 we've been 100% peat-free for all bagged composts. And from Jan 2026 all own-brand plants delivered to our stores will be 100% peat-free. (We first launched peat-free compost in 1991).
PeoplePeoplePeoplePeople
Improving gender equality. 43% of management roles currently held by women.Improving gender equality. 43% of management roles currently held by women.Improving gender equality. 43% of management roles currently held by women.Improving gender equality. 43% of management roles currently held by women.
Standing for inclusivity. 6 Colleague networks and advisory groups.Standing for inclusivity. 6 Colleague networks and advisory groups.Standing for inclusivity. 6 Colleague networks and advisory groups.Standing for inclusivity. 6 Colleague networks and advisory groups.
Raised/donated over £3.4m to support our charity partners and local communities.Raised/donated over £3.4m to support our charity partners and local communities.Raised/donated over £3.4m to support our charity partners and local communities.Raised/donated over £3.4m to support our charity partners and local communities.
Learning for life. Over 2,500 colleagues have completed or are undertaking apprenticeships.Learning for life. Over 2,500 colleagues have completed or are undertaking apprenticeships.Learning for life. Over 2,500 colleagues have completed or are undertaking apprenticeships.Learning for life. Over 2,500 colleagues have completed or are undertaking apprenticeships.
Volunteering. 40,313 hours donated to support local communities.Volunteering. 40,313 hours donated to support local communities.Volunteering. 40,313 hours donated to support local communities.Volunteering. 40,313 hours donated to support local communities.
Community impact. 604,817 people benefitting from our community programmes.Community impact. 604,817 people benefitting from our community programmes.Community impact. 604,817 people benefitting from our community programmes.Community impact. 604,817 people benefitting from our community programmes.

Planet

People

Together, we can do it. B&Q Build a Life Project.Together, we can do it. B&Q Build a Life Project.Together, we can do it. B&Q Build a Life Project.Together, we can do it. B&Q Build a Life Project.