Jewson goes green

Jewson expects its first branches to receive Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) chain of custody certification within weeks.

The certification of five branches is the start of a programme intended to lead to a national network of more than 100 Jewson branches offering certified timber from sustainable sources.

Steve Millward, environmental director at parent company Saint-Gobain Building Distribution Ltd (SGBD), said Jewson aimed to have more than 100 of its top branches FSC and PEFC certified within the next 12-18 months. This, he said, would give Jewson the critical mass needed to offer national certified timber coverage.

Currently, chain of custody certification extends only to Jewson Internal Timber Supply's distribution depots at Hull and Newport, which have FSC and PEFC certification.

Meanwhile, SGBD has launched a comprehensive environmental policy covering timber procurement and other areas.

The policy, which consolidates the environmental practices of SGBD companies, is being implemented throughout the group, including Jewson, International Timber and International Decorative Surfaces, and also covers waste minimisation, energy usage and emissions.

SGBD said timber procurement is an increasingly important consideration for contractors involved in government and local authority projects, who need to be able to guarantee wood is from independently certified, sustainable, well-managed sources.

Mr Millward added: "The policy will have a positive impact on the way SGBD companies do business and this will be passed on to all types of customers from government organisations and large contractors to small builders."

A new logo will appear on all SGBD literature about the environmental policy, plus products and services which adhere to best practice.