Harts of Stur is an independent, fourth-generation family business based in North Dorset.

And reducing its carbon footprint is a top priority for this cookware, kitchenware and electrical specialist, established in 1919.

Managing Director Graham Hart said: "We are committed to ensuring the area we live and work in can be enjoyed by future generations. So we have worked hard to reduce the impact our business has on the environment."

Harts already recycle over 300 tonnes of wooden pallets, cardboard, plastic, metal and electrical items each year.

As a large percentage of the business is mail order dispatch, the company was keen to reduce the amount of non-recyclable packaging used on the thousands of orders each week.

Graham added: "Another key area of opportunity for us was to lower our carbon footprint during the redevelopment and expansion of our store.

"The first solution regarding packaging didn’t require us to think outside the box as the solution was the box.

"As well as sending out thousands of orders each week, we also receive hundreds of boxes and cartons from suppliers. Rather than bundling these up for recycling we now reuse them for our outgoing orders."

The firm has also sourced a 100% biodegradable alternative to polystyrene chips used for packaging.

This Eco Flo loose fill is made from GM-free starch. Another benefit of starch is that it is produced from an annually renewable source. This means you can put them on your compost patch or add them to your household food recycling.

Graham explained the company began an ambitious shop redevelopment and expansion and it was 'the perfect opportunity' to lower the carbon footprint.

The project was part funded by Low Carbon Dorset as part of the European Regional Development Fund, and included the installation of replacement LED lighting and an air source heat pump system.

Solar panels were also added to both the existing store and extension.

He said: "We also looked carefully at the products we sell. New ranges were introduced allowing us to offer products that help to provide an alternative to single use plastics."

These include biodegradable plates and bowls, natural alternatives to cling film, plastic-free paper and stainless steel straws, reusable food containers, travel mugs and water/hydration bottles, composting bins and reusable shopping and produce bags.

Other projects include phasing out plastic carrier bags and replacing with environmentally friendly paper bags, joining the water refill scheme, offering free drinking water to help reduce single use plastic bottles from entering the waste stream, installing a milk vending machine from a local dairy in the car park.

The installation of the replacement LED lighting, air source heat pump and solar panelling Harts are saving over 46.2 tonnes of CO2 per year.

The green packaging page generated £40k of revenue since the October 2020.

Over the same time period, the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle page generated £10k of revenue.

"All this has been hugely popular with our customers and business partners and a big boost in reducing our carbon footprint," said Graham.

* Harts of Stur is supported by NatWest whose chief executive Alison Rose who has made climate change challenge one of hers and the bank’s top priorities.

It has set itself the ambition of becoming the leading bank in the UK helping to address the climate challenge and to achieve this is providing more services and products to help customers reduce their own carbon footprint.