Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin, a leading manufacturer of premium windows and doors, discusses how to identify ethical suppliers and the advantages of working with them.

Sustainability has become a top priority for both consumers and businesses who are now more aware than ever of their impact on the environment and, as a result, are taking a critical view of businesses that don’t take CSR seriously. As a family business, we firmly believe in creating a positive impact through ethical practices while providing high-quality, high-performing doors and windows.

Why choose an ethical supplier?

1. Your reputation is invaluable

Working with ethical suppliers demonstrates your commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible business practices. Clients, both consumer and B2B, are becoming increasingly focused on only working with businesses that operate sustainably to meet their own moral and corporate goals. By actively working to minimise your environmental impact by selecting only ethical suppliers, you’re protecting your reputation and avoiding the risk of being disregarded for projects on ethical grounds.

2. Regulation compliance is key

As building regulations become more stringent in order to create a more sustainable future and meet the government’s Net Zero by 2050 target, it is crucial to work with suppliers who comply with the new standards. Suppliers that prioritise the environment will continue to ensure your projects meet or exceed environmental guidelines, even as regulations evolve.

Our products not only meet increasingly strict building regulations, but they are designed to beat them too. This substantially improves the thermal efficiency and performance of new homes and buildings.

3. Earning green building certifications

Working with an ethical supplier will help you achieve green building certifications for your projects. More and more clients are looking to work only with construction companies that hold eco-credentials, such as BREEAM. There is also an increased interest in achieving Passivhaus amongst self-builders. An ethical supplier can offer products that meet the stringent criteria that are necessary for earning these prestigious accreditations.

Identifying an ethical supplier

It isn’t always easy to spot an ethical supplier. Many use smoke and mirror tactics in their marketing to make it seem like they’re doing the right thing, but in reality, they are guilty of greenwashing.

1. Check certifications

Look for suppliers with recognised, official certifications to ensure their manufacturing processes and operations comply with environmental regulations and ethical labour practices. Opting for suppliers that hold standards, such as environmental accreditation ISO 14001, will give you the reassurance that they are looking to do ‘the right thing’ and are committed to reducing the impact of their operations on the environment. This might be reducing energy and fuel consumption, bettering recycling rates, or offsetting.

Be wary of companies that use vague language such as ‘eco’ or ‘green’. These are marketing terms that are often not backed by any third-party accreditations.

At Origin, we are proud to hold the ISO 14001 and the BES 6001 certifications, which focus on our operations, sustainable materials, responsible resourcing, and robust product design.

2. Transparency is key

An ethical supplier will also openly share details about their supply chain, materials sourcing, and manufacturing processes if they have nothing to hide. Look for transparency in their communication and willingness to disclose information about their products.

3. Materials matter

Materials are the most tangible aspect of housebuilding and have a significant role to play in the journey towards a more sustainable future. This is why at Origin, we choose to manufacture our products from the highest-grade aluminium, which is one of the most environmentally-friendly materials. Not only is it infinitely recyclable, but 75 per cent of all aluminium extruded is still in circulation today. This sets aluminium apart from alternatives like uPVC or wood, which fall short when it comes to environmental impact and durability. Beyond its sustainability, aluminium is strong and hardwearing, and boasts a striking appearance, making it a sought-after choice.

4. People policies

Being ethical doesn’t just concern the environment, but extends to social responsibility too. Make it your business to learn about a supplier’s commitment to social responsibility, including fair labour practices, worker safety, and community engagement to ensure they meet your ethical standards.

Origin began as a family business, and this ethos is maintained to this day. With mor than 350 employees, all of whom we consider part of the Origin family, we do all we can to help our staff maximise their potential. We also play an active role in our local community in Buckinghamshire, from sponsoring Wycombe Wanderers FC, and supporting local hospice charity Rennie Grove Peace, to our partnerships with local colleges. Suppliers who value their workforce and support the local community are more likely to align with your ethical principles.

Contact Details
To find out more, or learn about Origin as a business, please visit www.origin-global.com