Environment and innovation
Net Zero Carbon by 2030
Taking into account the benefits arising from the products we sell
Zero waste to landfill by 2025
Reduce packaging waste
On all other product lines by 20% by 2025
The switch to renewables and the drive towards the zero-carbon economy
There’s a lot of change in our sector, especially around heating technologies. The level of disruption this represents for our customers shouldn’t be underestimated. But the plumbing and heating sector, like all industries, has a responsibility to protect the planet and to safeguard the resources that we have for future generations.
Innovation, and emerging technologies such as ground and air heat pumps, hydrogen, and network heating, will play a key role in us hitting net zero by 2030. A big part of what we’re doing now is ensuring that we have the leading propositions in these more efficient technologies, that we understand them, and that we support our customers in making choices around products and services that will improve their environmental performance.
What this looks like in practice
Wolseley Renewables
A recent survey run by Wolseley found that almost three quarters of installers are likely to expand into renewables in the next three years. We have plenty of knowledge and expertise when it comes to renewable technologies, so we’re perfectly placed to support our customers as they take steps to transition to renewables.
In February 2022, we launched Wolseley Renewables, our one-stop hub, offering customers the most up-to-date, impartial advice, product support and design services for all of their renewables needs.
Detailed results of the study
Supporting our customers as we move towards zero-carbon, renewables, and more carbon efficient products
We are committed to supporting customers in reducing their environmental impacts. This goes beyond offering more carbon efficient options for existing technologies and includes the introduction of other innovative and energy saving products, such as air or ground source heat pumps, hydrogen and network heating, as well as heat saving and online energy saving tools. Including:
- Product Selector Guides: Heat loss calculator | Radiator selector | Refrigeration Selector | Shower Selector
- Trade Guides & Information: Renewables | Boiler equipment | Reducing waste | Smart showering | Energy efficient smart home heating
But that’s not all, we are also committed to supporting our customers in getting the information, upskilling, and guidance they need when it comes to finding out about renewable and other clean technologies.
Click the links below to find out about the latest carbon reducing innovations
Leading the way in the circular economy for the industry
We are already running an industry first ‘circular economy’ scheme with Grundfos.
The scheme, which is already live in selected Wolseley branches across the UK, is focused on recycling domestic and light commercial pumps. The recycling process, which is carried out by Grundfos, consumes only 50% of the water required by the conventional recycling processes and emits 13.5% less greenhouse gases.
Customers simply need to take their old pump(s) to their local Wolseley branch, where it will be placed in storage before being taken away by Grundfos and recycled.
Wolseley and Grundfos Take-Back Scheme having a major positive impact
Reducing the impact of our own operations
We have been working with our supplier Lyreco to reduce emissions and to reduce carbon emissions and the impact on the environment caused by multiple small deliveries. And Lyreco are also working to reduce their impact and have committed to reduce their carbon emissions by 20% by 2025.
Since June 2021 we’ve been working with Lyreco to carry out consolidated monthly deliveries throughout the Wolseley branch network. This project has been a huge success and through it we have:
- Decreased the number of separate orders placed by 1,259
- Decreased the number of delivery drops by 1,725
- Increased the average delivery value by £17.02
- Reduced our CO2 emissions from 23.55 tonnes in 2020 to 16.62 tonnes in 2021. A whopping reduction of 6.93 tonnes of CO2
Find out more about our approach to carbon reduction in our annual report.
Download a copy of our Annual Report
Zero waste to landfill by 2025
We have committed to sending zero waste to landfill by 2025. We are working on a number of initiatives to achieve this, a number of which are already being integrated into our operational procedures. These include:
- Creating – and issuing every branch with – a new waste guide to make it easier to identify the best disposal route for waste
- Working with the Biffa Waste Management company to conduct waste audits that will identify the various waste streams and to see what waste is being put in the general waste bins
- Reviewing the available recycling options for what is put in the general waste
- Working with our key supplier partners to identify ‘circular economy’ solutions, like the one we have with Grundfos, which will mean resources are returned to suppliers for recycling/remanufacturing
And these initiatives are already working as we have six branches within the Wolseley Pipe and Climate network that are already achieving zero waste to landfill. And one of our branches has requested to remove their general waste bin as they no longer need that one at all.
Not only that, Wolseley UK has 51 sites (over 10% of the branch entire network) that have zero waste to landfill to date this year (March 2022). As a whole business, Wolseley has an average of 84% landfill diversion. The last 16% will not be easy but we believe it is achievable.
The importance of moving to zero waste to landfillWEEE Collection
What is WEEE?
The Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive requires countries to maximise separate collection 
and environmentally friendly processing of these items.
Buying a new electrical or electronic item from us? We'll recycle the one you’re replacing for free. Simply bring
the old electrical item in within 28 days, show us the receipt for its replacement and we’ll do the rest.
Why recycle?
- Recycling and reusing unwanted electrical or electronics can help save the planet, boost the economy and improve lives. Not only that, electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) contains materials, parts and substances which can be dangerous to the environment and harmful to human health if not disposed of correctly
- Electrical and electronic equipment is now the fastest growing waste stream in the UK and across the world
- Discover the impact of reusing and recycling your electricals here
What can I recycle?
- Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled or reused! The materials from recycled electricals can be used in everything from children’s playgrounds to lifesaving equipment, while donated tech can help bridge the digital divide
- You’ll find this symbol on all your electrical items. It is a reminder to recycle your old electricals, rather than binning them
Reducing waste electricals
- As part of our commitment to reducing the amount of unwanted electrical waste being incinerated or sent to landfill sites, we’ll recycle your old electricals free of charge when you buy new ones. Together we can stop precious resources from being lost forever, save lives and help protect the planet
- Every year, we collect, reuse and recycle thousands of tonnes of old electrical and electronic equipment
- We take all your old electricals to a recycling plant for processing and separate into individual materials, so they can be turned into new, more useful things. Watch this film about how your old electricals are recycled
- Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is regulated by the UK Government. Find out more here
We’re proud to be working with the national Recycle Your Electricals campaign.
Terms and conditions: We reserve the right to refuse an item that’s too heavy to be picked-up by one person for health and hygiene reasons. Like-for-like items only.
Why Wolseley doesn't have an ESG policy
We don’t have a policy specifically about ESG because we don’t believe that our journey in this space should be disconnected and treated as something separate from our day-day work. Our determination to have a positive impact on the environment, on society, on our industry, and on people, should be part of everything we do in Wolseley.
This means that ‘ESG-related’ activities and commitments are incorporated into a number of different policies, such the ones we have around environment, the workplace, product integrity, and ethical supply chain.