National retailer Wren Kitchens has partnered with academics from Hull University to give consumer the option to make more sustainable choices when purchasing.

Using a supply chain carbon mapping tool, designed and developed by the University, alongside designs and finishes, Wren customers will be able to base their choices on the carbon footprint.

It will allow customers to find out the carbon footprint for each element of the kitchen as early as the design stage.

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Transport and logistics director at Wren Kitchens Lee Holmes said: “Wren is delighted to be partnering with the University of Hull to deliver what we believe will be an industry first and the catalyst for others in the Humber Region to take a holistic approach to their impact on the environment.

“We hope this project will deliver thought leadership to the manufacturing sector by being future focused beyond the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) regulations, and take a leading role in the industry to establish and develop a circular economy.

“Our ultimate aim is to fully embed environmental sustainability into the company beyond the project end and offer customers a user-friendly footprint calculation for “on pack claims” in the online sales ordering process, promoting customer awareness and the ability to make informed choices.”

Wren Kitchens and the University of Hull have secured a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) from Innovate UK, to fund the two-year project.

It will also enable Wren to embed environmental sustainability knowledge, from the University, across its business and create the foundations for an in-house sustainability team.

Reader in logistics & supply chain management Dr Shaw said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Wren Kitchens on this exciting, innovative research project.

“The KTP will enable Wren to have capacity and capability to baseline their supply chain carbon footprint and make this data available to customers to drive carbon inset improvement decisions.”

“The project will go beyond understanding operational carbon impact to total transparency of whole-life carbon of a kitchen, which is the combination of embodied and operational emissions, essential for the built environment and achievement of the UK’s net zero target by 2050.

Employing over 7,200 people, Wren Kitchens has 109 UK showrooms and has opened showrooms in the USA