Some of DIY's biggest retailers and suppliers have delivered "deeply impressive" results in a scheme aimed at reducing landfill waste and packaging.
That's according to recycling agency WRAP. It set up a voluntary agreement initiative - the Home Improvement Sector Commitment (HISC) - to run from 2009 to 2012. And it says signatories to the agreement have smashed their original targets.

The companies reduced the amount of waste sent to landfill by 83%, against a target of 50%, and cut packaging by 25%, exceeding the target of 15%. Both figures are against a 2007 baseline.

The HISC brought together key sector retailers, brands and manufacturers. Its members represent almost half of the UK's home improvement retail sales, with signatories including AkzoNobel UK Decorative Paints, Argos, Homebase, B&Q, Crown Paints, Henkel and Wickes.

One of the successful initiatives introduced was B&Q's award-winning re-usable packaging system for home delivery of kitchen worktops and components. This cut packaging and reduced the risk of damage to products in transit, and delivered £1m-plus annual cost savings.

Henkel, the manufacturer of brands including Loctite, Solvite, Nitromors, UniBond and No More Nails, has engineered both primary and secondary packaging to minimise the use of packaging materials and to reduce waste to landfill. Cartons have been replaced by simple board and shrink wrap, and for some large format products secondary packaging has been eliminated altogether.

Argos and Homebase owner Home Retail Group has introduced new transit and retail packaging for paint preparation products, and a packaging take-back scheme for home deliveries of bulky kitchen appliances.

At Wickes a stronger and thinner polymer blend for bagged aggregates has reduced material and delivery costs, while Crown Paints introduced a paint pot take-back scheme at all its Crown Decorator Centre Stores. The company also diverted all waste that previously went to landfill, resulting in the company achieving its first full year of zero waste to landfill.

AkzoNobel UK Decorative Paints has increased the recyclable content of its polypropylene paint pots - up to 25% of the plastic can now be re-used in new paint pots. And its Dulux brand trialled an eco-pack with 70% less packaging. Dulux Decorator Centres have also operated a paint pot take-back service for three years.

Commenting on the results, WRAP chief executive Liz Goodwin said: "The results delivered by the DIY sector are deeply impressive. I congratulate all the signatories on their achievements in what has been a testing time for the sector."

Defra Environment Minister David Heath added: "Cutting waste is not only good for the environment but can help businesses save money and boost economic growth. It's fantastic to see DIY businesses working together to cut waste and unnecessary packaging and exceeding the challenging targets set in this agreement."