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Image Credit: Screwfix
Screwfix is significantly expanding its refurbished product capabilities. Since launching the initiative on Screwfix.com in 2021, it has refurbished more than 250,000 products.
As part of its ambitious sustainability campaign, "Let's Fix Tomorrow, Today," Screwfix is dedicated to offering customers high-quality products that last longer. Its "Refurb By Screwfix" range plays a central role in this commitment, which helps reduce waste and extend the life cycle of many items.
The growing demand for pre-owned goods has prompted Screwfix to invest £1 million in expanding its refurbishing operations. This investment includes developing a dedicated refurbishment area where taps, showers, and pressure washers will be tested, refurbished, and resold through Screwfix.com. As a result, customers will have access to a wider selection of refurbished products.
Additionally, Screwfix has upgraded its packaging process by installing a machine that precisely measures items—refurbished or new but with damaged packaging—allowing them to be repackaged in recycled cardboard. This improvement has significantly reduced the volume of packaging waste, and any excess cardboard is shredded to add protection during shipment.
Through its partnership with iForce, a leader in fulfillment and returns solutions, Screwfix has made an extensive range of refurbished products available on its app and website, giving customers more choices. In 2023 alone, more than 90,000 items were processed at its refurbishment facility in Stafford, where technicians meticulously inspect and prepare each product for resale or recycling.
Popular power tool brands such as DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Festool are available at discounts of up to 20% off their brand-new counterparts, with each refurbished product backed by a one-year guarantee. This initiative has been incredibly well-received by tradespeople, who appreciate the combination of quality and value, as evidenced by numerous five-star reviews.
Impressively, 63% of returned tools are either refurbished or have their usable parts salvaged for refurbishing other products. Any remaining items are sent for WEEE recycling, ensuring zero waste goes to landfill.
Matt Compton, Screwfix Commercial Director, said: "At Screwfix, we work hard to supply the trade with great quality products that last. When customers return unwanted or pre-loved products, where possible, we want to give them a second life. By partnering with iForce and our vendors, we have successfully refurbished and repaired more than 250,000 tools since 2022 that would otherwise been disposed of. With further investment this year, we are excited to be able to increase our product offering and capabilities to keep products in use for longer and help our customers get their jobs done quickly, affordably, right first time and more sustainably."
Clive Murphy, iForce Commercial Director, said: "Refurb by Screwfix is very important to us achieving good sustainability credentials, and the programme of refurbishment and recommerce of products is a win for Screwfix, a win for the customer and a win for sustainability. With the new packaging machine and additional products were adding to expand our ranges, it's a really exciting time to be a key partner in Screwfix's bold sustainability ambition."
This enhanced refurbishing capability is a cornerstone of Screwfix's "Keeping products in use for longer" initiative, a key component of its environmental strategy. The broader "Let's Fix Tomorrow, Today" plan addresses six key areas: cutting carbon emissions, minimizing waste, sourcing responsibly, offering sustainable products, providing eco-friendly packaging, and, of course, refurbishing products.
Screwfix's commitment to sustainability was recognized when it won the "Retailer of the Year" award at the 2024 Business Green Awards. The company was also highly commended for its Refurb By Screwfix initiative, highlighting the impact of its efforts toward decarbonization and waste reduction.
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