Morphy Richards: Hot on carbon reduction

Overview

For some years now Morphy Richards have been working in partnership with the Carbon Trust to identify the carbon footprint of nine of their most popular steam irons.

The footprint calculates the CO2 emitted during the iron’s life, which includes manufacture, consumer use and the eventual disposal of the iron. The Carbon Trust has independently verified their results and duly granted them the Carbon Reduction Label on their packaging.

What makes up the footprint of irons?

Over 80% of an iron's carbon footprint comes from actually using the iron.

• Raw materials: includes all the individual plastic and metal parts needed to make the iron
• Manufacture: manufacturing the iron from the raw materials, as well as transporting the iron to our distribution centre
• Retail and distribution: transporting the iron from our distribution centre into store for you to buy
• Use: using the iron in your home once you have bought it
• Disposal: disposing of your iron once you have finished using it

What they did

Although a high percentage of an iron's carbon footprint is when the iron is being used, Morphy Richards understand how important it is to try and reduce the carbon emissions through all stages of the iron’s lifecycle. That’s why they’ve committed to a program of further reducing the carbon footprint over the coming years.

For their energy-saving initiatives at their Head Office - they recycle cardboard, shrink wrap, stainless steel and power cables - they've been awarded the ‘Accreditation for Achievements in Energy Efficiency’ from the Institute of Energy.

They also use light and heat controllers that are monitored through sensor and timing controls throughout the building, and operate low-energy forklift truck chargers.

Wherever possible, they've redesigned the size of their product packaging which has helped them improve all aspects of the supply chain, from warehouse storage through to transportation. By cutting down on polystyrene approximately 80% of all their product packaging is now made from recycled cardboard.

We're always striving to design and develop future products that are energy efficient, thus helping to reduce our carbon footprint even further.

Carbon footprint breakdown

To secure the Carbon Reduction Label, the product’s total carbon footprint from its materials and manufacture, transport, in-use and end of life were measured. For example, the carbon footprint breakdown of the Morphy Richards Advanced Finish steam iron is:

How this is broken down:

Raw Materials	Manufacturing	Packaging	Distribution & Store	Use & Disposal
4.5%	8.5%	-	0.5%	86.5%