Ethics and Sustainability
Our Code of Practice
In order to ensure natural stone’s status as a sustainable product, suppliers like us need to drive improvements through the supply chain.
At Devon Stone, reducing that impact and minimising our carbon footprint is something we take very seriously. We are often asked about our approach to these ethical and environmental challenges. So we have developed an ethical code of practice which we share with our strategic partners.
We are committed to:
01.
Working with suppliers that actively manage the environmental impact of their businessAn example of this is our major European wholesaler, BERTRAM. They have in place a fair environmental and commercial policy which insists that quarries and stone fabricators sign a company charter of Responsible Business.
02.
Selecting products and suppliers based on sustainability as well as quality and priceWe carefully select our suppliers based on reliability, ethical practices, and workplace health and safety as well as quality and price. We actively avoid working with mosaic factories that use glue products in enclosed, non-ventilated spaces.
03.
Operating a conscious logistics policy to minimise the excessive movement of goods.Our centralised purchasing arrangement with key European wholesalers ensures that rigorous logistical standards are maintained including use of the latest EURO5 lorry fleet, and utilising transport hubs close to dock.
04.
Applying environmentally friendly processes and reducing waste wherever we canWe carefully recycle our waste products, in particular paper and wood pallet waste. And our vehicle replacement programme ensures we choose vehicles based on environmental factors like fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions.