As we enter World Earth Day 2024, it’s crucial to acknowledge its global impact on both the environment and consumer behaviour. Celebrated annually on April 22nd, it calls for action from individuals, businesses, and governments to address environmental challenges. For retailers, it has never been more important to ensure you are armed with the knowledge to educate customers on the ecological benefits of energy-efficient and sustainable products, as these choices are increasingly shaping consumer purchasing habits.
By choosing eco-friendly appliances and materials from brands like Liebherr, Quooker, and Cosentino, customers can make a real impact in reducing their ecological footprint within the home. These brands are leading the way in design, innovation, and technology to minimise environmental impact.
From water consumption to time and energy saving capabilities, Quooker taps have been designed to revolutionise water consumption, whilst minimising the amount of water and energy wasted. With an emphasis on energy efficiency, Quooker taps use only 10 watts per day to maintain water at 110 degrees. This low standby power consumption has resulted in the company having the best energy rating in Europe (A-rating), in contrast to the energy-guzzling kettles’ that uses 2,200 watts to boil 1.7 litres of water. This remarkable energy-saving design not only conserves electricity but also streamlines water usage by only delivering the exact amount of water necessary for the job at hand; saving customers time, water and energy even when making a cup of tea or filling a pot to cook pasta.
Moreover, thanks to the Quooker CUBE, taps fitted with this accessory can now dispense sparkling water at the touch of a button. With CUBE, the immediacy of super chilled, filtered and sparkling water can be enjoyed without having to wait or waste water. Shockingly, the average UK household uses 360 single-use plastic bottles per year. Given there are over 28.2 million households in the country, that is a substantial amount of plastic being thrown away after one use. But Quooker offers a solution. With one canister of C02, CUBE yields 60 litres of carbonated water which significantly reduces the need for this single-use plastic. The cannisters can also be returned to its Return and Recover department, where it will be repaired and re-filled ready to use again.
Quooker – Classic Fusion Round in patinated Brass, from £1,890
Stephen Johnson, Managing Director at Quooker UK & Ireland, comments: “We need to simplify what sustainability is for consumers to fully understand it and appreciate the products that make it easier to become sustainable. In the home, sustainability comes down to saving energy and water, reducing waste, and overconsumption and investing in long-lasting, quality products. Whilst there is an undeniable upfront cost to purchasing a boiling water tap, the benefits and savings that come with it are completely worth it in the long-term.”
Now more than ever consumers are scrutinising every penny and retailers need to understand the long-term benefits of investing in premium appliances that have energy saving capabilities; adopting a mentality of ’buy well to buy once’.
Liebherr, a pioneer in energy-efficient refrigeration appliances, sets a commendable example of the importance of investing in premium appliances. The company has one of the largest ranges of A-rated fridge-freezers in the UK, including over 30 products that are rated above a C energy efficiency rating, and its innovative BluRoX technology saw the introduction of the world’s first freezer to include recyclable vacuum perlite technology. Adding to its portfolio of sustainable products, the brand has also recently launched its new range of Under Counter fridges and freezers that set new industry standards with the first C-rated under counter appliances, a best-in-class for this segment.
Tim Hutchinson, Refrigeration UK Divisional Manager at Liebherr explains: “At Liebherr, our primary ambition is to improve sustainability across all facets of the company, and ultimately participate in a circular economy. We feel a responsibility in our industry to drive technology and innovation to help meet these growing demands and are constantly striving to create products that are as sustainable as possible, while also looking for ways to minimise our environmental impact.
Liebherr approaches the topic of corporate responsibility comprehensively and in all phases of the product life cycle. Recognising this commitment, Liebherr was awarded a Gold rating by one of the world’s most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, EcoVadis, in 2023; ranking the company among the top 3% of all rated manufacturing companies worldwide. This accolade is something we are extremely proud of as a business.”
Liebherr – Prime Freestanding Fridge Freezer (model code CBNbsa 5753), from £2,399, A Rated
Whilst energy-efficient and water saving appliances may be at the forefront of consumer purchasing decisions when renovating their home, there are many who factor the materials things are made from to also be a key decision maker.
Cosentino exemplifies its commitments to sustainability by embedding this eco-philosophy across its entire value chain, from sourcing raw materials to product end-of-life. Its dedication to green innovation is evident in its manufacturing processes, running entirely on renewable energy and boasting Spain’s largest independent solar panel farm. Moreover, Cosentino’s emphasis on water conservation, with 99% of water reused in production, and a zero-water Discharge policy, underscores its commitment to the environment. This commitment does not stop at production, innovative products such as Dekton, the first technical ultra-compact stone on the market that is entirely carbon neutral, and Silestone, which sees every surface engineered with a minimum of 20% recycled material, 100% renewable electric energy, 99% recycled water, and zero discharge, further exemplify the sustainable ethos.
Katie Parry-Stone, Retail Expert at Cosentino UK, adds: “Sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do at Cosentino and we have continued to prioritise green innovation across our brands. We are proud of how we manufacture sustainably, which has established Cosentino as a leader in sustainable design surfaces for both residential and commercial projects. Our brands Silestone and Dekton remain at the forefront of eco-friendly surface design and continue to meet milestones to create products of the highest quality in every way: beautiful, functional, safe and environmentally friendly. Through our investment into greener product, +3million m2 slabs are made from recycled or reclaimed material.”
Cosentino – Sunlit Days in Cala Blue, from £300 per sqm
The demand for sustainable, energy-efficient, eco-friendly appliances and materials is showing no sign of slowing down. It is this significant shift in purchasing patterns that entails manufacturers, retailers and the wider KBB industry to form a collective responsibility to ensure we are educated, informed and providing products that contribute to a circular economy for consumers.
