Environmental Policy

Behar is a socially responsible company and we are committed to an on-going process of tackling the environmental challenges that face our business and our world.

We do this by working with our customers, our staff and our suppliers to reduce waste, safeguard natural resources, encourage a healthier, happier environment for our customers and our work-force and trade ethically at all times.

We are committed to our environmental policy because at Behar, we believe that it is the responsibility of all businesses to protect the natural resources of our planet.

Waste

• We have drastically reduced the amount of waste that we send to landfill by dispatching used carpet to specialist recyclers where it is rejuvenated and refurbished for industrial applications and commercial use.
• Used wood and laminate flooring are sent for specialised recycling for use in other applications.
• New technology has enabled carpet fibres to be made from recycled plastic bottles. Over 3 million plastic bottles go to landfill annually in the UK – Behar, in pursuit of its environmental policy, is keen to encourage reuse and recycling by increasing stocking of quality carpets made from recycled material.
• We increasingly move towards communicating with our customers and our suppliers by email, therefore drastically reducing the amount of paper that we use. Our increasing use of email enables us to make environmental savings at the paper mill on electricity, trees, oil and water. Have you given us your email address?

Fair Partner

By trading fairly, we intend to help improve the quality of the lives of the people in our supply chain and in the local communities in which they work.

Every rug that you buy from Behar has the RugMark label – evidence that we have sourced the product from a supplier that guarantees that no children have been employed in illegal child labour to make it. The RugMark label also means that adult workers have been paid a fair wage for their work. The unique code on the label means that the rug can be traced back to the factory and even the loom where it was woven.

The RugMark initiative was set up by the rug industry and is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing an independent ethical accreditation of the child labour free source of production of rugs carrying the RugMark label. Random factory inspections are carried out to ensure that child labour free manufacturing conditions are maintained.

By buying a rug from Behar which carries the RugMark label, you are giving children the chance of a better life through RugMark’s education programme.

Used Carpet Recycling

Behar is a strong and committed supporter of Spruce Carpets Ltd, Scotland’s first carpet recycling organisation. Spruce is a social enterprise/community business formed to recycle domestic carpets. Spruce cleans, trims and refurbishes them and then once recycled, Spruce sells them on at low prices. In addition to donations of carpets in fairly good condition from domestic sources, Spruce accepts donations of “end of lines” from high street carpet retailers, and we are pleased to confirm that Behar donates large size roll-ends to Spruce for re-use. By donating unwanted carpets, either “end of line” or used domestic carpet, much waste material is diverted from landfill sites and in addition, volunteer opportunities for disadvantaged people who wish to contribute their time and energy are created by the Spruce programme of carpet recycling.

By donating your used carpets to Spruce, you are making a positive contribution to the environment. If you would like to contact Spruce Carpets, who will arrange to uplift your used carpet, their email address is: info@sprucecarpets.org.uk. Alternatively you can telephone them on 0141 425 1555 or visit their website – www.sprucecarpets.org.uk/links.html