Ambition
Promote recycling, responsible sourcing, and the conservation of natural resources.
Achievements
Product and Packaging
Plastics Pact UK
The Plastics Pact UK will be concluding this year, and we are pleased to have made further incremental improvements to the recycled content in our plastic packaging, which achieved 19% (+3 ppts), and the recyclability of our packaging remained at 96%.
We are currently reviewing the progress made to date and how this would translate into new targets for FY26 and beyond. Any targets will be Topps Group specific and based on definition of recyclability used by On-Pack Recycling Label (‘OPRL’).
With circularity a core part of our Environmental Leadership, we want to ensure that our customers have the clearest information on how to correctly dispose of our own-brand packaging. We intend this to facilitate effective recycling across the UK, as such we remain members of the OPRL scheme for our own-brand packaging.
WEEE Takeback
We offer a takeback scheme in stores where like-for-like used or broken products can be returned for recycling upon purchase of a new electrical product. This scheme allows us to comply with the UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (‘WEEE’) regulations and ensure that products are recycled safely. In FY25, our customers have returned 522kg of waste electrics for recycling.
Case study
New Fully Recyclable Adhesive Bag
We set ourselves a target of 100% recyclability across all our own-brand primary plastic packaging. This was not a small challenge within one year, with Circa 650 products to address.
To date we have switched 91% of all own-brand plastic packaging. The most complex of which was our Excel Bond adhesive bags, typically made as a paper bag with a plastic liner that acts as a moisture barrier
Collaborating closely with our supplier, we have successfully removed the plastic liner completely from the bag. The new bag consists solely of paper, with a biodegradable, plant-based glue at the seal. Once fully empty, our new bags can be recycled via any paper waste stream.
Our initial aim was to ensure all own-brand plastic packaging is recyclable, instead we have succeeded in not only removing the plastic from the packaging altogether but also saved 130 tonnes of paper ending up in landfill. These new bags started to appear in stores throughout August and September.
Case Study
Central Warehouse Lighting
This year saw the installation of new improved LED lighting and sensors in one of our distribution warehouses both to reduce electricity costs and improve visibility. It is anticipated that this will save 200 tonnes per year.
The improved lighting reduced the number of luminaires by 45% while reducing electricity consumption and enhancing lighting levels. Motion sensors have been installed in 19 high-bay storage aisles, further reducing energy consumption.
This improved lighting will enhance colleague well-being by increasing safety through better visibility and creating well-lit spaces that are more comfortable and professional.
Case study
Principle™
In March 2023, we introduced the sustainable Principle™ wall tile range, made from a remarkable 91.3% recycled industrial waste—among the highest levels globally.
Developed with patented technology by UK startup Alusid, these tiles incorporate recycled materials like tile dust, production sludge, glass, and ceramics, saving 8kg of waste per square meter from landfill. Principle™ is manufactured on industry-standard mass production equipment, ensuring quality and cost efficiency. However, Alusid’s bespoke processes and raw material mixes allow for lower firing temperatures, meaning Principle™ uses 23% less gas during production than like-for-like conventional tiles.
Case study
Mas™
In May 2024, we developed Mas™, a vitrified floor and wall tile with a recycled percentage between 95% and 98.5%, depending on the colour.
Our supplier’s technology utilises recycled material aggregated from various parts of the ceramic industry in Spain – both pre- and post-fired material is combined using a low impact process to create a modern interpretation of the traditional quarry tile.
Crucially, Mas™ is engineered to entirely avoid spray drying, an industry-pervasive process that accounts for 36% of thermal energy consumed during normal tile production. Instead, a unique low-energy dry granulation process is used.
Demonstrating commitment to transparency, the full emissions life cycle for Mas™ has been published via a third-party verified Environmental Product Declaration (‘EPD’). This demonstrates a carbon footprint that is substantially lower than equivalent tiles using conventional methods. As such, Mas™ is confidently one of the lowest impact ceramic tiles on the market.
We recognise the importance of engaging with customers to facilitate effective recycling. Accordingly, we’re members of the on-pack recycling label (OPRL) scheme, ensuring our own-brand packaging is labelled with clear disposal guidance.
Logistics
