Sustainability & ESG

We’re cutting our environmental impact through targeted, measurable actions:

• Cleaner fuel and future-ready fleet – After a short trial at our Wiltshire and Andover depots, we will be rolling out HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) across all suitable depots. Made from certified waste materials like used cooking oil, it can cut CO₂ emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel. We’ve also transitioned our company car fleet to electric and hybrid models and remain committed to introducing electric commercial vehicles when the technology is viable for our operations.
• Greener depots – Solar panels generate clean energy at multiple LWC sites, and new builds, such as our BREEAM-certified Merseyside depot, meet the highest sustainability standards. Fully electric material-handling equipment will be introduced across all depots within 3–5 years.
• On-site champions – 35+ Green Ambassadors lead and drive sustainability initiatives such as the Simpler Recycling Scheme on the ground at every depot.
• Smarter operations – Our state-of-the-art Warehouse Management System boosts pick accuracy to 99%, reducing extra deliveries and waste.
• Better packaging – We’ve overhauled shrink wrap use by eliminating hand wrapping, upgrading machines across all depots (65% less use), and switching to material with at least 30% recycled content, cutting related CO₂ emissions by 81%. We’ve also replaced 184,000 annual boxes, previously made from virgin pulp and imported, with UK-made boxes from 100% recycled content, lowering transport emissions and removing virgin materials.
• Recycled uniforms – We’ve switched to a sustainable uniform supplier, with all new workwear made from 70% recycled materials and designed to be harder wearing for longer life. A uniform recycling scheme ensures old garments are collected and processed responsibly, keeping them out of landfill and giving materials a second life.
• Supply chain action – We’ve measured our Scope 3 emissions (indirect supply chain emissions) for the first time, enabling joint carbon-reduction targets with producers.

We put people and communities at the heart of what we do:

• Skills and training – Every sales team member is WSET-qualified, and colleagues in other areas – including distribution and marketing – also have the opportunity to complete WSET training. Career pathways include our warehouse-to-wheels programme, mentoring scheme, and specialist product training. Our apprenticeship programme has seen more than 300 apprentices qualify over the past five years, reflecting our commitment to developing future generations across the business.
• Equality and inclusion – Our internal Women’s Network, which has over 100 members, drives action on gender equality, offering events, networking, and development opportunities, all supported by our Women in Leadership training programme to help more women progress into senior roles.
• Health and wellbeing – Support for colleagues includes access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and trained Mental Health First Aiders, alongside national safety initiatives such as Road Safety Awareness Week.
• Rewards and recognition – Our platform Cheers! recognises and celebrates great work and helps colleagues make their money go further, with discounts on hundreds of household brands, entertainment, and everyday essentials.
• Customer support – We’re committed to supporting, training, and upskilling our customers as much as we are our own teams, so they can grow alongside us. Our brand activation managers, wine development managers, and account managers provide tailored advice, training, and menu development support to help customers get the most from our ranges.
• Philanthropy – Giving back has been a priority since day one. We contribute a growing amount each year to charitable causes, balancing local fundraising with national partnerships, and scaling our support in line with the company’s continued growth.

We run our business with integrity, transparency, and clear accountability:

• Compliance and safety – Unified vehicle compliance processes across all depots, audited monthly, with a green OCR rating nationwide.
• Clear standards – Legal, ethical, and safety frameworks embedded in every part of the business.
• Transparency – Our future annual Impact Reports will track our ESG progress and set clear targets for the year ahead.
• Responsible partnerships – We work closely with our suppliers and brand partners to help them meet our ethical and sustainability standards, ensuring our values are reflected throughout the supply chain.
• Leadership and oversight – Governance at every level, from depot management to board oversight, with a dedicated ESG and sustainability committee.
• Recognition – We are working towards recognised ESG and sustainability accreditations to independently validate our progress.