Sustainability
WE ARE COMMITTED TO A SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING APPROACH
At Symphony we give you the assurance of high environmental standards and we manage our environmental responsibility by addressing the issues of pollution and environmental impact.
This is reflected in our stringent Environmental Policy, which is underpinned by a series of Controlled Objectives covering the eco-friendly use of energy, transport, packaging, non-renewable resources and the acquisition of timber based products. As a significant British manufacturer, we aim to support UK companies wherever we can – over 30% of our core product is sourced from suppliers within one hour’s drive of our factory. Our suppliers share our values on minimising environmental impact and protecting the environment. The availability of sustainable materials is the cornerstone of our purchasing strategy.
We are acutely aware of the need to minimise our carbon footprint and the impact our activities have on future generations. We have invested in technology to maximise energy efficiently and source sustainable materials.
Click on the logos below to see more details about each of our environmental commitments.
BREEAM
WE ARE COMMITTED TO A SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING APPROACH
The design and construction of Symphony’s 500,000 sq ft state of the art manufacturing and Head Office facilities at Barnsley, South Yorkshire, have incorporated BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) standards.
The building has been designed to deliver the highest levels of insulation and energy efficiency and one of the largest biomass fired boiler plants in the UK burns wood waste to deliver all the heating. Symphony employs 100% re-circulation systems to optimise waste and minimise emissions.
Our Delivery Fleet
WE ARE COMMITTED TO A SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING APPROACH
The Symphony fleet of vehicles is amongst the most fuel efficient on Britain’s roads, due to the inclusion of Bluetec Euro 5 Mercedes Actros delivery vehicles. These utilise the latest fuel technology, converting nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water, reducing emissions and keeping our air cleaner. Careful loading and detailed journey planning keep mileage, and therefore emissions, to a minimum.
At Symphony, we understand that you need a reliable delivery service which is why we we have our own fleet. Our 139-strong fleet of fully-owned vehicles are some of the most economical and our delivery routes are consistently optimised to ensure they are the most direct and efficient therefore keeping journey times to a minimum.
We also have a UK-wide network of strategicially places trunking depots providing greater flexibility and a more reliable delivery service.
Valpack
WE ARE COMMITTED TO A SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING APPROACH
We are proud members of Valpak, an organisation dedicated to monitoring compliance with recycled packaging obligations.
This membership has been achieved by minimising packing, without compromising protection, such as by the innovative use of reusable protective blankets for all deliveries.
Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP)
WE ARE COMMITTED TO A SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING APPROACH
The Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) supports and improves the furniture industry’s sustainability credentials. Specifiers increasingly ask their suppliers to prove they have a sustainable approach to their operations and FISP is an ideal way of demonstrating this.
FISP focuses not just on current environmental issues, but also incorporates purchasing, as well as social and community issues – inherently part of our long term sustainability strategy.
Fira
WE ARE COMMITTED TO A SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING APPROACH
FIRA
Symphony is a fully accredited member of FIRA, the Furniture Industry Research Association. This certificate shows that we comply with all comprehensive text and ongoing auditing procedures.
FIRA GOLD
Symphony is a recipient of the FIRA Gold Award is the ultimate mark of product excellence within the furniture industry. This award provides a solid reassurance that a product meets all necessary standards. The award provides comprehensive testing and ongoing auditing programmes, for a complete range or item of furniture, thus ensuring that it has been manufactured to the highest possible standards.
FIRA CLUB GREEN
FIRA Club Green helps Symphony to improve our environmental impact through improving process management and benchmarking environmental performance through annual site audits.
EKO Design
WE ARE COMMITTED TO A SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING APPROACH
EKO DESIGN BY SYMPHONY
All kitchens are designed with the following EKO principles ensuring an improved environmental performance without compromising on style or quality.
CABINETS AND DOORS ARE FSC® CERTFIED
Full FSC® certification on all cabinets and doors ensuring the vast majority of our timber based materials are sourced from guarenteed sustainable forests. Our cabinets have been tested to comply with the requirements of BS 6222 Part 2 Level H.
RECYCLABLE HANDLES
The metals contained in our handle ranges can be recycled.
LED LIGHTING – LOW VOLTAGE
The development of LED lighting means that you do not have to compromise on the brightness when saving energy. Also the bulbs are designed to run on low voltage, which extends the life of the bulb to 50,000 hours. All our LED lights conform to part L of the building regulations and are zero carbon rated.
INTEGRATED WASTE DISPOSAL
Through InSinkErator food waste disposal or enclosed recycling bins, we make recycling simple, convienient and hygenic. Our EKO waste bins range from 30 litres to 60 litres.
‘A’ RATED ENERGY EFFICIENCY APPLIANCES
EKO Design offer the highest standard of energy effiecient appliances from brands like Zanussi and Electrolux.
WATER CONSERVING SINKS AND TAPS
Many of our sinks feature a low maintenance, easy clean smooth steel finish, whilst selected ‘eco-taps’ are fitted with flow restrictors to limit water usage and save money. The majority of our taps are also WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approved.
FSC® WORKTOPS
Each worktop is manufactured to the highest standards with FSC® assured materials.
60 YEAR WHOLE LIFE COSTINGS
Cabinets that are fully repairable throughout their life and can be expected to be at least 25 years old before they need to be replaced, and when they do they can be 100% recycled. Due to construction methods they do not need to be thrown away.
CABINET SAVING SINK UNIT LINERS TO PROTECT AGAINST WATER INGRESS.
Sink liners act as a ‘cabinet saver’ by covering the base of sink units to protect against water ingress.
