When sourcing products for Going Green, we focus on suppliers that demonstrate excellence, progress, transparency and commitment in transitioning their entire operations to sustainability, rather than seeking out the impossibility that is perfection. Often, we refer to products in the Going Green store as being "green-forward". This is to reiterate the point that going green is a journey. This is the reality for suppliers committed to being as sustainable as possible, just as it is for businesses across every sector, who have to purchase products, equipment and materials to enable the day-to-day running of operations.
The label "greenwashing" refers to brands or suppliers who herald their sustainability with an "eco-friendly range" or recyclable packaging, while being decidedly less transparent about the rest of their operations. To ensure that we are providing our customers with maximum transparency, the sustainability credentials and actions for every supplier are listed (without puffery or padding) on each of every product page.
Before being invited to join the Going Green store, suppliers must demonstrate a strong commitment to product stewardship, taking responsibility for minimising the product's environmental impact throughout all stages of its life cycle, including end of life management. All suppliers on Going Green will have validated their engagement with at least six of the following actions:
- Elimination of chemicals from products
- Elimination of chemicals from manufacturing processes
- Packaging solutions that eliminate landfill waste
- Nature-first solutions for single-use items
- Product packaging made from recycled, non-virgin materials
- Carton packaging made from recycled, non-virgin materials
- Reuse inbound cartons within the business/factory or repurposed by third-party
- Replaced plastic packaging with nature-first alternatives
- Solutions for reusing, re-adapting or recycling used cartons at factory
- Elimination of non-recyclable or biodegradable plastics in product packaging
- Elimination of microplastics in product and/or product packaging (e.g. teabags, detergent pods, detergents)
- Extending product life solutions that enable reuse, refill or repair
- Nature-first alternative to fossil fuel use in production processes
- Solutions enabling greater use or access to naturally sourced energy
- Low impact manufacturing on surrounding environment
- Sustainability-first approach to office stationery supplies
- Sustainability-first approach to office cleaning and hygiene supplies
- Use environmentally friendly, recyclable materials for marketing and sales assets, including business cards and flyers
- Sustainability-first approach to office kitchen and catering supplies
- Contribute to programmes that actively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or regenerate nature
- Part of initiatives to rejuvenate or restore nature back to thriving
- Initiatives to support or enable vulnerable communities to thrive