Green Issues

Climate change has risen up the agenda over recent years as concern has mounted over the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the climate. Fired Earth and the Aga Group is committed to reducing carbon emissions. Across the Aga group initiatives are being worked on to show our commitment to reducing our carbon emissions.

WALL TILES

• Fired Earth has always supported artisan suppliers by working with ceramicists in workshops and studios predominantly in the UK & Europe, in order to provide a unique, hand crafted resource which forms the basis of our wall tile collection.

• 60% of our wall tiles are handmade or hand decorated. These are marked in the new catalogue.

• 73% of our wall tiles are sourced in the UK or Europe

• 34% of our wall tiles are sourced in the UK

• Iridescent Glass Mosaic is made from a proportion of recycled glass (up to 86% depending on the colour.)

• Natural History tiles are not only made in the UK but our supplier contributes a percentage of sales to the Natural History Museum.

• All wall tiles in the English Craft section of the brochure are made in the UK.

FLOOR TILES

• 55% of our floor tiles are sourced in Europe.

• As is widely recognised, transportation of products contributes to global warming. From this standpoint it is definitely preferable to buy products that originate as closely as possible to England (thereby reducing ‘carbon miles’).

• The long term durability of tiles means replacement costs can be reduced to such a degree that lifetime costs are actually less than those associated with more inexpensive products, especially in areas of high wear.

• Indoor air quality improved because tiles release few, if any emissions unlike for example, carpets. This is particularly important for those with allergies or respiratory ailments.

• The year 2006 was the hottest since records began. House builders are therefore increasingly being encouraged to use floor tiles rather than carpet because the denser, harder material does not retain heat and so helps keep temperatures down (Source The Observer Sunday 7th Jan 07).

KITCHENS

Hand crafted in France, this highly durable range is produced using traditional joinery techniques by sister Company Grange. By sourcing close to home again ‘carbon miles’ are kept to a minimum.

• Made using oak (Bastide), cherry and beech (Shaker) sourced from sustainable European forests and from PEFC (Pan European Forest Certification) accredited suppliers.

BATHROOMS

Wood products

• Bastide and Shaker bathroom cabinetry is hand crafted in France using traditional joinery techniques by sister Companies Grange and Rosyl.

• Made using oak (Bastide), cherry and beech (Shaker) sourced from sustainable European forests and from PEFC (Pan European Forest Certification) accredited suppliers. Sanitary ware (white ware and Manhattan cabinetry)

• 71% of sanitary ware is manufactured and sourced in the UK

• 100% of sanitary ware is manufactured and sourced in the UK or Europe

• 100% of toilet seats are made in the UK or Europe

• 93% of Bowls and Basins are manufactured and sourced in the UK or Europe

• 75% of baths are manufactured and sourced in the UK or Europe

• 100% of shower enclosures are manufactured and sourced in the UK

• 100% of shower trays are manufactured and sourced in the UK or Europe

• 100% of our taps and showers are manufactured and sourced in the UK or Europe

PAINT

• In a continuing program of monitoring and control our supply partner has successfully reduced the emissions of waste, reduced use of solvents and have vetted their material suppliers, to see that their methods are acceptable. To check this, they have personally visited the companies supplying more than two thirds of the materials they use in our paints. To improve your own personal environment we have successfully developed paints that cover really well thereby requiring less coats than ordinary paint.

• In the pursuit of minimal environmental impact the solvent level of all Fired Earth water based emulsion, eggshell and masonry paints fall within the officially designated Low Category 0.3% - 7.99% by volume. This also means that they are low odour, faster drying and easier to clean up. (VOC = Volatile Organic Compounds)

• 97% of the paints sold by Fired Earth fall within Very Low or Low VOC category (Gloss & Floor Paint are oil based and are High VOC)

• Our paint is manufactured in the UK (thereby minimising ‘carbon delivery miles’) using high quality, carefully selected pigments, minerals and resins chosen for their qualities of opacity (depth of colour), light fastness (don’t fade in sunlight), excellent covering power, and durability.

• The Fired Earth paint can is made from 25% recycled steel

WOOD FLOORING

• All the wood is sourced from sustainable forests and is traceable to the forest of origin.

• Our supplier is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) accredited

LITERATURE

• All Marketing literature is printed in the UK reducing the impact on the environment through less ‘carbon miles’.

• We are actively sourcing printers who are FSC accredited (our paint card is printed by an FSC accredited printer in England).

• We are increasingly using either FSC accredited or recycled papers for literature. Our new 344 page catalogue is printed in England on 50% recycled and FSC accredited paper.

• Fired Earth carrier bags are recyclable and we are currently looking at changing them to be made from a percentage of recycled/recovered plastic.

ETHICAL POLICY

Ethical Trading Code Fired Earth and the Aga Group adhere to an ethical trading code which suppliers are asked to comply with. Our worldwide suppliers must ensure that:

• Employment is freely chosen

• Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected to the extent permitted by law

• Working conditions are safe and hygienic

• Child labour shall not be used

• Living wages are paid

• Working hours are not excessive

• No discrimination is practiced

• No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed

• No bribery or corruption is permitted

• Follow good environmental practice