ESG Statement
2024/25
Introduction
As Chairman of Rodo Ltd, I am proud to introduce our inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, a core pillar of our commitment to long-term sustainability and responsible business practices. We recognise the impact of business extends beyond financial performance; it encompasses the health of our planet, the well-being of our colleagues and wider communities and the ethical foundations of our decision making. We recognise our duty to contribute constructively and positively to the ESG agenda.
We have much to do, but I am heartened by the progress already made and by the commitment shown by our people, decision-makers and key stakeholders.
This ESG statement serves as our commitment to be a force for good, to lead by example and to drive positive change across our industry.
Bill Brierley, Chairman
ESG Policy Commitment
At Rodo Ltd we are committed to integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into our business strategy, operations and culture. We recognise that our operation impacts on the planet, our employees, customers and the communities we serve. By prioritising sustainability, ethical practices and strong governance, we aim to drive long-term value, mitigate risks and contribute positively to a more sustainable and equitable future. Our ESG policy reflects our dedication to making responsible decisions that align with both our business goals and the broader needs of society.
Our commitments include:
• Ensuring the consideration of environmental factors during business planning and implementation
• Reducing the carbon footprint of all business activities
• Minimising the consumption of energy and emissions
• Conducting our business with integrity and high standards of business ethics, through appropriate structures, systems, processes and procedures
Industry Partnerships
Sedex is a global membership organisation dedicated to driving responsible and ethical business practices within supply chains. By facilitating transparency and collaboration between suppliers and buyers, Sedex helps businesses manage risks, improve compliance, ensure social and environmental sustainability and uphold their commitment to ethical standards.
Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is a set of internationally recognised labour standards based on the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and is designed to ensure ethical working conditions across global supply chains. The ETI Base Code is widely adopted by businesses to promote ethical sourcing and responsible supply chain management.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. It sets standards for forest management and chain-of-custody certification, ensuring that forest products are sourced sustainably. FSC certification guarantees that wood, paper and other forest products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. The FSC works to prevent deforestation, protect biodiversity, support local communities and combat climate change, offering a trusted label that helps consumers and businesses make informed, sustainable choices.
Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international certification that sets requirements for recycled content, responsible production, social and environmental practices and chemical restrictions in supply chains. It is designed to ensure credibility, traceability and sustainability in products made with recycled materials. The GRS certification applies to textiles, plastics, metals and other materials, helping brands verify their sustainability claims and promote a circular economy.
The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is the key independent voice representing the interests of the UK safety industry to a wide audience, including Government, its enforcement agencies, standards making authorities and safety equipment users. Members range from safety equipment manufacturers, distributors and test houses to certification bodies, safety consultancy companies and service providers.
British Standards Institution (BSI) is the UK’s national standards body that develops and publishes industry standards to ensure quality, safety and sustainability across various sectors. It provides certification, training and consultancy to help businesses comply with regulations and improve operational efficiency. BSI helps businesses enhance trust, efficiency and resilience by ensuring they meet global standards for safety, quality and sustainability.
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
Rodo Ltd is committed to aligning our ESG goals with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to create a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous world by 2030. These goals seek to address the most pressing global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation and social injustice. By promoting sustainable economic growth, inclusive social progress and environmental protection, the SDGs envision a future where all individuals have access to quality education, healthcare, clean water and decent work. Ultimately, the goals aspire to foster global cooperation and partnerships to ensure peace, prosperity and a healthy planet for current and future generations.
Our Strategy
While all of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are crucial, we are focusing our efforts on a select number of key goals where we believe we can make the most significant impact. By concentrating on these priority areas, we aim to drive tangible, measurable progress and maximise the effectiveness of our contributions toward a sustainable and equitable future.
Our sustainability strategy focuses on 4 key areas:
UK Operations - Reducing carbon footprint through energy efficiency, waste management and responsible sourcing within domestic facilities.
Global Supply Chain - Ensuring ethical sourcing, responsible manufacturing and transparency. Reducing emissions in logistics and partnering with suppliers who prioritise sustainability.
Responsible Sourcing, Product & Packaging - Designing products with sustainability in mind, using recycled or responsibly sourced materials, minimising plastic use and moving toward biodegradable or recyclable packaging solutions. This aligns with our circular economy principles to reduce waste.
People & Community - Supporting charitable initiatives, ensuring worker well-being and creating programmes that empower employees and local communities.
UK Operations
Rodo Ltd has over 150,000 square feet of space, operating across two sites in Greater Manchester and employing over 150 people. Our headquarters house our offices, assembly lines, storage areas and pick-and-pack despatch facilities. The second site functions as a bulk storage hub, supporting and supplementing operations at our main premises.
We’ve taken a close look at our UK-based operations to identify what we’re doing well and where we need to take further action. Our goal is to ensure Rodo is actively contributing to the fight against climate change by reducing carbon emissions and minimising waste across our direct operations.
Recycling & waste management
As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices, Rodo Ltd has partnered with EMERGE Recycling, a Manchester-based social enterprise dedicated to sustainable waste management and social impact.
EMERGE brings deep expertise in handling various waste streams, including general business waste, confidential shredding, food waste and waste electrical equipment. Their values align closely with our own — focusing on long-term environmental solutions through the principles of Reduce, Re-use, Recycle.
Since forming the partnership, we’ve made measurable improvements across our operations:
• A forecast 12% reduction in general waste year-on-year, driven by the introduction of welfare bins across both sites.
• Cardboard waste is now processed as Grade A material, meaning it goes directly into the production of new recycled cardboard — a significant shift from our previous reliance on incineration-based disposal.
• Plastic waste is baled and sent to a local business that repurposes it into reusable plastic bags, contributing to a circular economy model.
This collaboration marks a meaningful step forward in our environmental journey — one that strengthens our ability to reduce waste, lower emissions and build a more sustainable future for our business and community.
Distribution
We recognise the importance of partnering with suppliers who prioritise sustainability.
Carton deliveries are fulfilled by DPD, which is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. As part of Geopost, DPD plans to reduce CO2 emissions by 43% by 2030 and 90% by 2040, offsetting the remaining 10%. To achieve this, DPD is electrifying its fleet, targeting 85% emission-free transport by 2030 and 100% by 2035. The company is also transitioning to renewable energy for its facilities and vehicles, with a goal of 100% electric vehicles by 2035. These efforts demonstrate DPD’s commitment to sustainability and climate protection.
In 2024 DPD delivered 14% of our cartons on all electric vehicles, saving 10,524kg of CO2
Pallet deliveries to the EU are handled by Dachser, which integrates sustainability into its operations through energy efficiency, innovation and renewable energy use. It deploys electric and hydrogen vehicles, optimises processes with digitalisation and supports global social and climate initiatives. These efforts reflect its commitment to sustainable logistics and corporate responsibility.
Lighting & Equipment
Our facilities have a mix of LED and fluorescent lighting. Where flouresecent lighting is in place the system is sensored, meaning lights are either dimmed to 10% or turned off entirely when the area is not occupied.
There are energy management systems for gas heaters throughout the premises, meaning times and temperatures are managed centrally and are tamper proof. Inverter air conditioning units are installed in the offices, consuming less energy, leading to lower carbon emissions and electricity bills. Inverter units also have a longer lifespan.
Company vehicles & usage
The company is committed to the movement of company vehicles towards the employment of electric-hybrid and fully electric vehicles over the next couple of years as current operational leases expire. Measures are also in place to ensure that the volume of business-related mileage is reduced by appropriate mileage management and improved route planning. Electric charging points are installed at the company’s main office.
Emission Analysis:
Since the baseline year of 2020/21, overall carbon emissions had been on a downward trend. However, the most recent reporting period (April 2024 – March 2025) recorded a 5% increase in emissions compared to the previous year. This rise is primarily attributed to higher mileage across our transport fleet, driven by increased staffing and the resulting travel demands. Notably, mileage per person continues to decline year over year.
This has been achieved through the following initiatives:
• Ongoing transition of car fleet to hybrid/electric vehicles
• Mileage management and route planning to reduce business related mileage
• Electric charging points installed at premises
• 20% of energy consumption derived from renewable sources
• Energy efficient lighting installed
We aim to reduce this further in the coming years, through the following initiatives:
• Transition to 100% hybrid/ electric car fleet as current leases expire
• Decommissioning and replacement of an old power station
• Further installation of LED lighting in remaining areas
• Planned refurbishment and extension of buildings will incorporate an upgrade of insulation and the installation of energy efficient heating systems
• Project commenced to investigate the viability of solar panelling, providing renewable energy
Global Supply Chain - Scope 3 Emissions
We recognise that sustainability in global supply chains is about delivering long-term value for our customers and the planet. We are committed to ethical sourcing, reducing environmental impact and striving for transparency. By integrating sustainable practices, from responsible material sourcing to waste reduction and carbon footprint minimisation, we strive to build a resilient, future-focussed supply chain that drives both profitability and positive impact.
Global supply chain and scope 3 emissions are firmly in focus as we look to expand our reporting and set a net zero strategy.
One of our key suppliers in China, dedicated almost exclusively to manufacturing for Rodo Ltd, is committed to sustainability. As part of their ongoing efforts to minimise environmental impact and improve energy efficiency, they have made significant investments in solar power. By installing solar panels across their facilities, they are reducing their reliance on non-renewable energy, cutting carbon emissions and lowering operational costs, reinforcing their dedication to a greener future.
This supplier’s investments have resulted in the following:
% of solar power used for making paint rollers - 60%
% of recycled material used in plastic products - 30%
% of recycled papers used in cartons - 30%
Responsible Sourcing, Product & Packaging
As importers and distributors of goods, we have challenged ourselves to look at how we improve our products to support our sustainability goals.
This includes:
Responsible packaging, with less reliance on virgin plastic Responsible sourcing Utilising sustainable components
product life
waste
Responsible Sourcing
We are committed to responsible sourcing and hold all our suppliers to high ethical and environmental standards. Every supplier and their facilities are personally visited and audited by Rodo to ensure compliance with our values. Currently, 70% of our products are sourced from suppliers audited through Sedex, a globally recognised platform for ethical trade. All suppliers are required to sign and adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which reflects our commitment to the ETI Base Code, including strict prohibitions against child labour and other exploitative practices. Suppliers are regularly reviewed against these standards to ensure continuous improvement and accountability across our supply chain.
Responsible Product
Responsible Products
Many of our products are now developed with sustainability in mind, incorporating components such as recycled materials, responsibly sourced wood and biodegradable elements. This approach reduces environmental impact whilst maintaining the quality and performance our customers expect.
Our Commitment to Sustainability:
1. Designing products that promote and support re-use over single-use, disposable alternatives.
2. Reducing single-use plastics across our product range.
3. Incorporating eco-certified components to minimise environmental impact.
4. Incorporating components suitable for recycling.
Launched fully in early 2025, the Blackrock Eco+ Hi-Vis range features eight durable garments made from Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified recycled polyester. This accreditation ensures full supply chain traceability and verifies that the materials are responsibly sourced.
Sustainability is about more than recyclability—it’s also about longevity. With a higher GSM construction, UPF40+ protection and EN 20471 certification for up to 50 industrial washes, the Eco+ range enhances its durability and is built to last. By extending garment lifespan, we reduce waste and minimise environmental impact without compromising on performance or safety.
Product Highlights:
Responsible Product
Ice Fusion and Premier Brushes:
Our premium brush lines feature fully FSC-certified handles and we are actively working towards ensuring all wood components across our range achieve FSC certification.
Recycled Materials:
As of March 25, all our plastic trays, scuttles and kettles are made from 100% recycled materials, eliminating the use of virgin materials in this range.
Recycled Cotton Dust Sheets:
Our ProDec Contractor range of dust sheets are made using a minimum of 50% recycled cotton with no compromise on performance.
Responsible Packaging
We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our packaging across our PPE range. Below is a summary of our progress:
Target 1: Footwear Packaging – Achieved
Packaging including shoe boxes, swing tags and tissue paper now formed from recycled content and can be recycled. User information sheets also withdrawn and replaced with a QR code printed on the box and tongue label. Reduction in waste as follows:
• 150T of paper/cardboard per annum diverted from landfill to domestic recycling
• An additional 3T per annum of paper removed through physical user information sheets and replaced with QR codes
• 1T per annum of plastic kimbles removed from circulation
• 30% reduction in emissions during the paper making process
Target 2: Hi-Vis Packaging – In Progress
We are transitioning our polybags to GRS-accredited low-density polyethylene (LDPE) across our range, shifting away from traditional non-recyclable plastics. The new bags are made from 100% recycled materials and are fully recyclable at the end of their use. Reduction in waste as follows:
• 5.5T per annum of plastic packaging converted to 100% recycled material and fully recyclable at end of life
• 1T per annum of paper removed through physical user information sheets and replaced with QR codes
• 0.5T per annum of gloss covered swing tags converted to 100% recycled and recyclable kraft paper, printed using water-based inks
• 0.2T per annum of plastic ties for the swing tags removed from circulation
Responsible Packaging
Target 1: Remove all polystyrene from range. Achieved: Polystyrene replaced with recycled and recyclable moulded card.
Target 2: Plastic Packaging Reduction. Achieved: Introduction of head clams vs. full clams, represents a 50% reduction in plastic use on this type of product.
Target 3: Plastic Packaging Recyclability. Achieved: Moulded blister packaging has changed from PVC to recyclable PET, some with at least 30% recycled content. This equates to approximately 9.3 tonnes of packaging being recyclable rather than being destined for landfill.
Target 4: PVC Removal from our range. In Progress
• Our ProDec and Fit For The Job core brush ranges have transitioned to card packaging, diverting approx. 2.2 million units per year from landfill to domestic recycling
• Additional ProDec brush ranges have also moved to card, covering a further 250,000 units annually
Target 5: Plastic Packaging Removal. In Progress Reduction in waste as follows:
• Abrasive rolls: 0.5T per annum
• Extension poles: 0.75T per annum
• Caulking guns: 1T per annum
• Single use brushes: 2.5T per annum
• Masking tapes: 1T per annum
People & Community
People & Community
Our people are the lifeblood of our business, and we are dedicated to providing excellent working conditions that foster growth, wellbeing and opportunity. As a natural extension of this commitment, Rodo has been part of the local community for nearly 100 years, and we remain deeply invested in supporting and giving back to the community that has supported us.
Our Workplace
Our Company Values
We are a family business and like any family, we rely on and support one another in delivering on our commitments.
We aim to treat our colleagues, customers and suppliers as part of our extended family, and endeavour to build strong, lasting relationships based on trust and integrity.
By respecting all our relationships and by delivering on our promises we have built a stable and successful business now approaching its 100th year.
Our company values are our guiding principles: they inform our people, customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders what Rodo is about.
Our core values provide a framework for leadership and decision making and help to create a culture where our people enjoy their work and are supported, empowered and encouraged to thrive and achieve their potential. By managing the business in line with our values and hiring and retaining people who embrace these guiding principles, Rodo can provide the very best environment to our people and deliver the very best experience to our customers and suppliers.
Our five values are the heartbeat of our company culture and how we aspire to do business every day...
We endeavour to empower, encourage and support our people. This approach takes many forms including apprenticeship, mentoring and training and development programmes and the Change Makers forum
where nominated colleagues collate and put forward ideas and suggestions, with the objective to drive change and communication between the business and employees.
In April 2024 we ran an employee engagement survey and we were incredibly proud of the feedback received:
60% of colleagues responded
89% recommended Rodo as a great place to work
79% felt Rodo’s culture fosters a positive and supportive
work environment
Other notable stats
30% vacancies in 2024/25 were filled by internal candidates
1301 hours of employer funded training undertaken in financial year 2024/25
Family Friendly Benefits
As a family-run business, we value the importance of life’s special moments and want our staff to be there to celebrate them. That’s why we offer paid leave for significant milestones, including weddings, a child’s first birthday, their first day at school and university graduations. Additionally, we provide enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid leave for hospital stays or essential medical care, ensuring our colleagues have the support they need during life’s most important events.
Community Engagement & Charity Initiatives
Each year, our colleagues come together to vote for our Charity of the Year, with proceeds from various fundraising events supporting the chosen cause. Last year, we proudly raised £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support through creative initiatives such as a human fruit machine, scratch cards and “Guess the Product” challenges.
At Rodo, we are dedicated to supporting the next generation of painters and decorators by partnering with colleges across England, Wales and Scotland. We provide free-of-charge products for use in painting and decorating courses, helping students gain hands-on experience. Our local account managers also visit colleges to demonstrate our products, ensuring students receive valuable industry insights.
We also take pride in supporting our local communities by sponsoring junior sports teams — often those involving the children or relatives of our colleagues.
Employee
Throughout the year, our colleagues demonstrate remarkable dedication by participating in demanding fundraising activities, that range from sponsored marathons to donating their hair to the Little Princess Trust.
Fundraising
Future Commitments
We are still in the early stages of developing our sustainability strategy, laying the foundation for meaningful and lasting impact. Our focus has been on understanding our current environmental footprint, to identify key areas for improvement on which we can build clear, achievable goals. While we have already taken some initial steps, we recognise that there is much more to do.
2025/26 Objectives:
UK Operations
1. Reduce carbon emissions:
- Decommissioning and replacement of an old electric power station
- Through order picking consolidation, reduce the number of cartons per consignment
- Movement of company cars to electric/hybrid vehicles
- Continued installation of LED lighting in remaining areas
Global Supply Chain
1. Analyse Scope 3 emissions
2. Adopt volumetric practices to optimise shipping container space
Packaging & Product
1. Extend the range of products with verified sustainable credentials
2. Challenge packaging requirements for every new SKU launch
People & Community
1. Obtain ISO 45001 certification
2. Obtain Great Place to Work certification
3. Build on existing charity and fundraising initiatives
If you wish to speak to our team regarding ESG initiatives at Rodo, please contact ESG@rodo.co.uk