Sustainability
At Xpect Furniture, sustainability is about more than reducing emissions. It’s about improving how we operate, supporting the communities we work with, and making responsible decisions across our supply chain.
As a business built around furniture hire and reuse, circular thinking is already embedded in what we do. Our focus now is on continuing to reduce our environmental impact while delivering measurable social value.
Our Targets
We have set clear long-term goals to guide our sustainability journey.
Xpect is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, using 2022 as our baseline year, and becoming a net-zero business by 2050.
To achieve this, we are adopting science-based reduction strategies to actively mitigate and reduce our carbon footprint across operations, logistics and supply chain activities.
Reducing Our Impact
We monitor our emissions closely and work to improve year on year.
Between the 2024 and 2025 reporting years, our carbon intensity reduced by 3%, reflecting ongoing improvements across the business.
Looking ahead, we are exploring the use of HVO fuel within our commercial fleet, which has the potential to reduce emissions from this part of our operations by up to 80%.
Creating Social Value
Our sustainability work also focuses on creating meaningful social impact.
Through initiatives linked with HACT (Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust), we support programmes that invest in social housing decarbonisation. These projects help reduce emissions while also delivering wider community benefits such as improved energy efficiency, reduced fuel poverty, and the development of local skills and jobs.
This approach ensures our sustainability efforts create positive impact beyond our own operations.
Responsible Materials & Packaging
We are continually reviewing the materials used across our operations and working with suppliers to improve sustainability.
For example, the pallet shrink wrap used in our logistics operations contains 30% recycled material, supplied by Carlton Packaging . Small improvements like this help reduce the environmental impact of everyday operational processes.
ESSA Sustainability Accreditation
Xpect Furniture has been awarded five ticks under the ESSA Sustainability Accreditation, recognising our commitment to improving environmental performance across our operations.
The accreditation, delivered by Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), assesses suppliers across key areas including environmental responsibility, operational practices, and long-term sustainability strategy.
Achieving the highest five-tick rating reflects the steps we are taking to reduce our environmental impact and embed sustainable practices across the business.
Sustainability FAQs
Answering common questions about our commitments, partnerships and progress.
What are Xpect’s sustainability targets?
We are committed to reducing our carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, using 2022 as our baseline, and becoming a net-zero business by 2050. These targets guide how we operate and make decisions across the business.
What is HVO and why are you using it?
HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) is a lower-carbon alternative to traditional diesel. We are exploring its use within our fleet, where it has the potential to reduce emissions by up to 80% in this area of our operations.
How does your partnership with HACT support sustainability?
We work with HACT to support projects that deliver both environmental and social impact. This includes investing in social housing decarbonisation, helping to reduce emissions while also supporting local communities through job creation and improved living conditions.
What is the ESSA Sustainability Accreditation?
The ESSA Sustainability Accreditation, delivered by the Event Supplier and Services Association, recognises event suppliers that are actively improving their environmental performance. Xpect has achieved the highest five-tick rating, demonstrating our commitment to responsible business practices.
Is furniture hire more sustainable than buying?
Yes, hiring furniture supports a more circular approach. Products are reused across multiple events, reducing the need for new manufacturing and minimising waste. This is a core part of how we operate at Xpect.
What does net-zero mean for Xpect?
Being net-zero means reducing our emissions as much as possible and balancing any remaining emissions through credible offsetting. Our focus is on reducing first, with offsetting used only where necessary.
Looking Forward
“We know sustainability isn’t something you achieve overnight. At Xpect, it’s about making better decisions every day from how we deliver our services to the partners we work with and continuously reducing our impact over time.”
Sustainability is an ongoing journey, and we are committed to making meaningful progress year on year. As we continue to develop our approach, our focus will remain on:
• Reducing operational emissions across our business
• Increasing the use of lower-carbon fuels and technologies
• Strengthening partnerships that deliver measurable environmental and social value
By taking these steps, we aim to support a more sustainable future for the events industry.