Beko plc’s MD, Teresa Arbuckle, delivered the opening keynote address to an international audience at an industry conference on 21st September, to discuss how the home appliances industry can work collaboratively to contribute towards the UK’s net zero ambition and limit the rise in global temperatures. The conference, ‘2050 – Appliances of the Future: The Road to Net Zero’, was sponsored by the UK White Goods Association (AMDEA), of which Arbuckle is the chair, along with the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), and the City, University of London, who provided the conference venue.
During her address, delivered to key stakeholders from Government and academia, as well as manufacturers and retailers, Arbuckle discussed current environmental challenges, outlining the extent of the appliance industry’s carbon emissions footprint and the impact the industry is having on the planet. She detailed the initiatives and steps that Beko plc is taking to reduce the impact of appliances throughout their life cycle, from production and use, through to repair and recycling. These initiatives include an aim to improve and promote product quality to reduce waste, incorporating a comprehensive repair programme designed to extend the life of products and a callout prevention programme to minimise unnecessary engineer mileage.
Further meaningful changes Beko plc is making to its own operations include measures such as green tariffs, elimination of plastic, and increased recycling in all locations. Beko is supporting the move to electric vehicles with a planned electric van fleet roll-out in the next 2-3 years.
Beko says it will also ensure it provides consumers with information on how to use and care for their appliances in the most sustainable ways. The company added that fundamental to its vision to reach net zero by 2050 is the raised awareness among employees and partners through carbon literacy training to encourage a collaborative approach to make a meaningful difference.
