Company founder Nick Brown
Nikwax, the waterproofing brand, has received a top award for its ecological business practices.
The company, which produces a range of treatments for outdoor clothing and gear, has gained the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.
The company’s managing director Nick Brown has long been an advocate of environmental and social responsibility, and Nikwax, which he founded in 1977, has eschewed the use of perfluorinated compounds in its solutions, following questions over the chemicals long-term ecological harm.
The company has also put in place other environmentally friendly processes. Nikwax harvests rainwater for use in the manufacture of core products, has invested in a solar generation system that virtually provides the entire electrical consumption of its main office, and is carbon-balanced though the World Land Trust.
It has increased its proportion of waste recycled from 16 per cent in 2006 to 71 per cent in 2013, and has set an 80 per cent target this year. The company said it aims to become waste and landfill free in five years.
Mr Brown said: “Taking the ethical route rather than the easy-money road is a difficult decision for some, but minimising our environmental impact was always the way for me.
“I feel immense pride when I see our product on the high street. It’s a win for the customer and conservation. The Queen’s award is a great endorsement that says, yes, you’re doing all right; keep going.
“We must stop to think about the fuel we burn to arrive at our walk; the energy and materials consumed in the clothing that protect us from the elements, and even the wear on the pathway.
“We may be destroying the very hills that we care so much about. Restoring the waterproofing of your outdoor clothing is in itself a sustainable act; using far less energy and money than replacing equipment, and for us, it all counts.”
Nikwax also pointed out its treatment for breathable jackets, TX.Direct, doesn’t need heat activation for it to work, unlike some chemicals.
The accolade is Nikwax’s fourth Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Company representatives will be invited to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace and will be able to use the Queen’s Award Emblem on Nikwax packaging.
