B&Q qZERO®
Sustainability Score
United Kingdom B&Q has been at the heart of home improvement across the United Kingdom for over 50 years. Established in 1969, it began as a small DIY shop in Southampton and has grown into one of the UK’s most trusted names for home and garden solutions. B&Q’s journey is built on a foundation of making home improvement accessible, affordable, and inspiring for everyone.
Innovation has always been woven into B&Q’s story. From pioneering one-stop DIY superstores to offering energy-efficient products, B&Q continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of modern living. Today, under the umbrella of Kingfisher plc, B&Q is committed to helping customers build homes that are better for people and for the planet, with clear, evidence-based promises across its products and practices. Every step they take is grounded in responsibility and transparency, empowering customers to make choices they can truly believe in.
This means B&Q are above average compared to other companies in the Multiline and Specialty Retailers & Distributors.
B&Q positioning within the Multiline and Specialty Retailers & Distributors
The Multiline and Specialty Retailers & Distributors sector faces significant challenges: managing resource use, reducing waste, supporting fair working practices, and ensuring ethical transparency. B&Q acknowledges these responsibilities and is actively working to build a stronger, more responsible business.
While B&Q currently performs below the industry average on environmental and social measures, it is making clear efforts to close these gaps. Areas such as resource efficiency, waste reduction, and employee wellbeing offer opportunities for future improvement. Where B&Q stands out is in its governance, demonstrating leadership that is open, honest, and committed to positive change. This strong foundation gives B&Q the tools to make meaningful progress, ensuring that every step forward brings better homes, stronger communities, and a healthier environment within reach for everyone.
B&Q combines a wide range of home improvement and garden products under one roof. From kitchens and bathrooms to paints, tools, and outdoor living essentials, B&Q makes it easier for customers to create spaces they love. Whether upgrading a room, planting a garden, or simply refreshing your living space, B&Q offers trusted brands, helpful services like installation support, and accessible advice for every project, big or small.
B&Q believes that making responsible choices for the home should be affordable and straightforward. Their "Build a Life Project" commitment focuses on designing better products for people and nature, without increasing prices. From sourcing wood responsibly to offering energy-efficient lighting, B&Q makes sustainable living more accessible by weaving it into everyday products. Clear labelling, real-life performance data, and transparent sourcing information help customers feel confident they are buying better, without compromise.
B&Q is taking meaningful steps to embed sustainability into every part of its business. Strong governance practices ensure that ethical standards guide daily operations, helping to build trust with customers, suppliers, and communities. Environmentally, B&Q is committed to responsible sourcing, reducing its impact through better material choices and improving energy efficiency across its product range. On the social front, B&Q invests in programmes that uplift local communities and support employee wellbeing. Together, these initiatives reflect a genuine commitment to creating lasting, positive change — balancing ambition with action, and responsibility with results.
B&Q demonstrates positive action in managing waste responsibly, showing strong performance in reducing and handling hazardous materials. This reflects a clear focus on protecting resources and minimising environmental harm. However, there are areas where further progress is needed. Managing greenhouse gas emissions remains challenging, suggesting opportunities to improve energy efficiency and lower carbon impacts. Similarly, strengthening climate risk management would help B&Q build greater resilience against future environmental pressures. By investing in these areas, B&Q has the potential to elevate its environmental leadership and meet the growing expectations of conscious consumers seeking brands that act for a better world.
B&Q shows a genuine commitment to positive social impact through strong initiatives in corporate giving, inclusive workplace culture, and positive labour practices. These efforts highlight B&Q’s belief that a better business is built by supporting people and communities. From nurturing diverse talent to contributing to local causes, B&Q is helping to create opportunities and promote fairness at every level of its operations.
However, there are areas where further focus is needed. Strengthening data privacy practices and improving cyber risk management will be key to safeguarding customer trust in an increasingly digital world. Similarly, enhancing supplier engagement can help build more resilient and responsible supply chains. By addressing these challenges, B&Q can continue to lead authentically, ensuring that social responsibility is a commitment and a promise delivered across its entire network.
B&Q demonstrates strong and transparent governance practices, laying the foundation for a business built on trust, resilience, and long-term responsibility. High business transparency and clear ethical leadership standards reflect B&Q’s commitment to doing business the right way. Strategic foresight and open reporting further strengthen its role as a brand consumers can rely on.
While B&Q excels in many areas of governance, corporate compliance practices still need improvement. By focusing even more on consistent adherence to regulations and internal policies, B&Q can reinforce its reputation for accountability and leadership. With a solid structure already in place, the path forward is building even stronger systems supporting a responsible and future-ready business.
B&Q’s unique strength lies in making sustainable home improvement achievable for everyone. Their promise is simple: better homes, better choices, better planet. Through the "Build a Life Project", B&Q transforms everyday products into more responsible options — from responsibly sourced timber to energy-saving lighting and water-efficient solutions. They back their claims with clear standards and real progress, giving shoppers genuine confidence. It’s not just about offering greener products; it’s about creating a world where affordable, sustainable living is possible for every home, every project, and every budget.
B&Q is on a journey towards greater sustainability, combining real achievements with a clear focus on areas that still need attention. Environmentally, the brand is making strides in waste management and responsible sourcing, while working to strengthen its performance in emissions reduction and climate resilience. Socially, B&Q invests meaningfully in its people and communities, showing a commitment to fairness and inclusivity. In governance, B&Q leads with strong transparency and ethical practices, providing a firm foundation for future progress.
B&Q's next chapter is full of promise. By deepening their efforts on climate action, boosting supply chain responsibility, and embracing more robust data protection, B&Q can continue to grow as a brand that helps customers build better homes and a healthier planet. Every small choice — from the products we buy to the companies we support — helps shape the future we all share.
Choosing wisely means making a real difference — and B&Q is working to make that choice easier, every day.
B&Q offers wood and paper products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®). This certification ensures that the materials come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.
In addition to FSC®, B&Q sources timber and wood-based products certified by PEFC™, verifying that forests are managed sustainably and that supply chains are traceable and credible.
B&Q’s parent company, Kingfisher plc, operates under ISO 14001-certified environmental management systems across its supply chain, supporting sustainable practices and continuous improvement in environmental performance.
To enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint, B&Q’s distribution centres and operations are aligned with ISO 50001 standards where applicable, helping the business manage its energy use responsibly.
Suppliers working with B&Q are assessed using SMETA audits to ensure high standards in labour practices, health and safety, environmental stewardship, and business ethics.
Selected home and garden products from B&Q incorporate recycled materials certified to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), confirming responsible sourcing and traceability of recycled content.
Appliances, lighting, and heating products sold at B&Q feature EU Energy Labels, helping customers choose energy-efficient products based on recognised European ratings.
B&Q’s own-brand ranges are developed in line with responsible sourcing frameworks, covering ethical production standards and sustainable material sourcing, verified through internal and external audits.
As sustainability standards evolve, new certifications are added and existing ones are updated. To stay informed and discover the latest achievements, we encourage you to check B&Q’s latest Responsible Business page and the Sustainability Report regularly.
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