Designing wallpaper is not just about ‘looks’, it is also about producing the design in an environmental and socially responsible way.

As Ian Brown, Director responsible for Corporate Social Responsibility explains; “In the first place you need absolute buy-in from the Board of Directors, this support is key to driving what to some may appear to be a less important initiative. Then you need the support of the team, but with increased environmental awareness this is rarely an issue.”

The many examples of the company’s demonstrable CSR policy are captured in our sustainability report, which when published received acclaim for its informative approach.

Green Air, warm glow

By ‘burning off’ pollutants in an incinerator the emissions leaving the factory are clean. The 760ºCheat is then recycled to heat ovens in the production process, saving energy.

Waste not, want not

Since the early eighties the business has been separating its production waste so that things such as cardboard and paper could be re-pulped, white spirits could be recovered from liquid waste, and even the cores of the reels of virgin paper are found uses elsewhere.

Rain and Shine

When our Distribution Centre moved into purpose built facilities in 2000, all its environmental impacts were managed. The site’s drainage is managed in such a way as to prevent flash flooding of the nearby river. Natural light is used throughout the warehouse facility reducing the need for energy consuming artificial light. When the natural light drops to a certain level an intelligent lighting system operates that automatically turn on the lights when a picker is in the aisle, and off again when they leave. Saving more energy.

Timber!

We use only paper made from the timber of the managed forests of Finland. In these forests for every tree cut down, three are planted. Even the tractors used to harvest the trees use vegetable oil in the hydraulics to lessen the impact of leaks contaminating the forest floor.

Eco Design

Taking it one stage further, Graham & Brown’s recent initiative with Central St. Martins was to design an eco wallpaper, a range that promises to make wallpaper eco-chic.