DIY firms sign up to voluntary agreement

Though modelled on the Courtauld Commitment, it covers only 45% of the DIY retail market. The waste goal goes little further than some of the signatories’ existing commitments.

The firms signed up are Argos, B&Q, Focus, Homebase, Wickes, and German glue-maker Henkel. They have agreed to cut packaging to 85% of 2007 levels and landfilled waste from back of store and distribution centres by 50% by the end of 2012.

The Home Retail Group, which owns Argos and Homebase, and Wickes have already agreed to cut landfilled waste to half 2005 levels by 2013 under the BRC’s Better Retailing Climate agreement (ENDS Report 400, pp 11-12 ). They also have packaging weight targets.

B&Q has a goal to reclaim, recycle or compost 90% of waste by 2012 and aims to landfill no more than 2% of waste by 2020.

A WRAP spokeswoman said it will focus on the five biggest retailers first. Other firms are welcome to join.