Eco-Friendly Retail: Innovative Materials and Recycling Initiatives

Over the last decade—two decades even—branding and retail design have been significantly influenced by the global drive to combat climate change. This shift has impacted every aspect of design in retail, from packaging and signage to wayfinding, display units, visual merchandising, and interior design. The goal is clear: reduce global warming, minimise waste, and promote re-use, repair, and recycling wherever possible.

At Barber, we are committed to recommending sustainable finishes and suppliers that make a positive impact on the planet. Here, we share some inspiring examples of how design choices can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Sustainable Materials Making a Difference

Valchromat MDF – A wood fibre panel that is environmentally friendly and non-toxic, made from recycled pine wood and mill waste. These panels utilize waste wood such as branches and chips from softwood forests, reducing deforestation and carbon emissions. More about Valchromat

Clayworks Clay and Lime Plasters – One of the lowest-carbon and healthiest wall finishes available, made from raw materials in Cornwall, an area abundant with natural resources. More about Clayworks

Domus Tiles – A leader in sustainable surface finishes. Their website allows users to filter products based on recycled content (e.g., +25% or +40%) and provides access to Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) and ISO 14001 certifications, ensuring transparency in sustainability performance.

Pulp Packaging by Pulp-Tec – 100% recycled paper packaging designed to shape around products sold in-store or online. It is fully biodegradable and compostable. More about Pulp-Tec

Retail Sustainability Initiatives

Boots’ Recycling Scheme – Boots has introduced an app-based recycling program where customers scan products, drop them at participating stores, and earn 500 Advantage Card Points (redeemable within three days) for recycling five empties and spending £10 in-store.

Nike’s Move to Zero Program – Nike has launched multiple sustainability initiatives, including using recycled materials and testing robotic shoe repair in its Nike Town London store. The B.I.L.L. (Bot Initiated Longevity Lab) robot cleans and repairs shoes, extending their lifespan and reducing waste.

Aesop’s Sustainable Store Design – Aesop has set a target to reduce the carbon footprint of its signature stores by 50%. They use life-cycle analysis to assess the environmental impact of materials and transportation.

Aldi’s Sustainable Store in Leamington Spa – This store integrates solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, generating an estimated 167,409 kWh of clean electricity annually. Additional features include timber fibre insulation, cement replacement concrete, recycled lighting columns, and a partial green roof.

MUD Jeans – This sustainable denim brand aims to make its jeans 100% circular by 2026. They accept old jeans from any brand (with at least 96% cotton content) for recycling and offer repaired jeans as part of their vintage collection. They are also a certified B Corp.

M&S Plan A – Marks & Spencer has pledged to achieve Net Zero status across its operations and supply chain by 2039/2040. Initiatives like the “Let’s Shwop” campaign promote a circular economy for clothing, alongside sustainable packaging and plant-based product ranges.

Amazon’s Climate Pledge-Friendly Leaf – Have you noticed the small green leaf on Amazon product listings? This highlights products with trusted third-party sustainability certifications, supporting their commitment to becoming net-zero carbon by 2040.

Barber Design’s Commitment to Sustainability

At Barber, we integrate sustainable materials into our retail projects, specifying materials like Valchromat panels, Clayworks finishes, Domus Tiles, and innovative solutions like PaveGen—smart flooring that generates electricity when walked on by customers. We continuously seek new eco-friendly finishes and suppliers to enhance our retail designs and we also wrote about ethical retail practices in this earlier blog too.

Sustainability is at the core of our approach, ensuring that the fixtures and finishes we recommend align with both brand identity and environmental responsibility.

Looking to incorporate sustainable design into your retail or travel retail space? Contact us at studio@barberdesign.co.uk.