Sustainability Policy

Sustainability Policy

At The WhatEver Shop, we believe in doing business in a way that is good for our customers, our community, and our planet. This Sustainability Policy sets out our commitments to environmental responsibility, ethical sourcing, waste reduction, and continuous improvement in our business operations.

1. Our Commitment to Sustainability

We are committed to:

  • Reducing our environmental footprint in all areas of our operations.

  • Supporting ethical and responsible sourcing practices.

  • Encouraging our customers to make more sustainable choices.

  • Complying with all UK environmental laws and regulations.

2. Sustainable Sourcing

  • We aim to work with suppliers who share our values and operate to recognised ethical and environmental standards.

  • Where possible, we prioritise:

    • Locally sourced products to reduce transportation emissions.

    • Recycled or upcycled materials in our product ranges.

    • Certified sustainable goods (e.g., FSC-certified, Fairtrade, organic).

  • We avoid suppliers who engage in unfair labour practices or unsustainable harvesting of materials.

3. Packaging & Waste Reduction

  • We use recyclable or compostable packaging wherever possible.

  • We aim to minimise unnecessary packaging in our supply chain.

  • Customers are encouraged to reuse bags or bring their own when shopping in-store.

  • We recycle cardboard, paper, plastics, and other materials from our store operations.

4. Energy & Resource Efficiency

  • Our store lighting uses low-energy LED bulbs to reduce electricity consumption.

  • We aim to switch to 100% renewable energy sources for our store’s electricity supply by [insert target year].

  • Staff are trained to conserve energy by switching off lights, displays, and equipment when not in use.

  • We actively seek ways to reduce water usage in store operations.

5. Transportation & Logistics

  • We work with couriers and postal services that are committed to reducing emissions.

  • Where possible, deliveries are grouped to minimise transportation frequency and carbon footprint.

  • For local deliveries, we aim to explore low-emission or zero-emission delivery options.

6. Community & Social Responsibility

  • We support local charities, community groups, and environmental projects in Bridlington and surrounding areas.

  • We promote environmental awareness through customer education and in-store events.

  • We aim to partner with other local businesses to share sustainable practices and initiatives.

7. Continuous Improvement

  • Sustainability is an ongoing process — we regularly review and update our practices to reflect new technologies and environmental standards.

  • We set annual sustainability goals, track our progress, and adjust our strategies accordingly.

  • We encourage feedback from customers and staff on how we can further improve.

8. Employee Engagement

  • All staff receive training on our sustainability commitments and how they can contribute.

  • We encourage employees to suggest new ideas for reducing waste and improving efficiency.

  • We recognise and reward staff contributions to sustainability efforts.

9. Compliance

We comply with all applicable UK environmental regulations, including:

  • The Environment Act 2021.

  • The Waste Regulations 2011.

  • UK Packaging Waste regulations.

10. Communication & Transparency

  • This policy is available to all customers, suppliers, and staff.

  • We will publish updates to our sustainability performance on our website and in-store.

  • We are committed to transparency and honesty in reporting our sustainability actions.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or suggestions about our Sustainability Policy, please get in touch:
📧 thewhatevershops@gmail.com
📞 07391 483199
📍 The WhatEver Shop, 48–49 West Street, Bridlington, YO15 3DZ, United Kingdom