Sustainability at Inn Express | Our Honest Approach to Doing Better

Our Approach to Sustainability

At Inn Express, we know sustainability matters – and we know we’re not perfect. We’re not here to publish a glossy policy packed with vague promises and corporate fluff. Instead, we want to be clear about what we’re doing, where we’re headed, and how we’re making a real difference with the resources we have.

We do everything we can to support our people, reduce our environmental impact, and give back to the communities we’re part of. From backing local charities like Alcester Food Bank, to cutting food waste through our partnership with Too Good To Go, this policy reflects our practical approach to sustainability, without overstating what we do. Got questions, ideas or concerns? We are all ears, and our team is always just a call or email away. This policy sets out where we are, what we’re working on, and the practical steps we’re taking to run a business that’s built to last.

Why It Matters

This policy guides how we work across every part of the business. It applies to everyone at Inn Express – from warehouse and fleet teams to account managers and suppliers. The aim is simple:

Cut our environmental impact
Keep sustainability front of mind
Do our bit for a greener, fairer future

What We Stand For

We build our sustainability approach around three straightforward principles:

Environmental Responsibility: We’re cutting waste, reducing emissions and making smarter choices about how we use energy and materials.
Social Responsibility: We support our people, treat everyone fairly and back our communities.
Economic Sustainability: We run a business that balances profit with purpose. We’re here for the long haul.

Our Sustainability Goals

We focus on six key areas:

Energy Efficiency: Using less through smarter tech and better processes.
Waste Reduction: Cutting down what we throw away and stepping up recycling.
Carbon Emissions: Lowering emissions by upgrading vehicles and using greener energy.
Water Use: Reducing water waste, especially in vehicle cleaning.
Sustainable Sourcing: Partnering with suppliers who care about people and planet.
Local Jobs: Hiring locally to strengthen communities and reduce commuting emissions.

What We’re Already Doing

Recycling and Reusing: We repurpose packaging to safely pack a variety of products in one box. It saves materials and cuts waste.

Short-Dated Stock: Through discounts, donations and platforms like Too Good To Go, we keep short-dated stock from going to waste.

Going Paperless: We’ve upgraded our systems to store documents digitally. It’s not 100% paperless yet, but we’re getting there.

Investing in People: Training, flexible working, and development opportunities mean we make the most of every skill in the business.

Transport & Delivery

Our modern HGV and van fleet is Euro VI compliant. Vehicles are updated every five years and fitted with smart tech to cut emissions. All new company cars are fully electric. Tools like Merlin and UKTelematics help us monitor fleet performance in real time.

We plan routes geographically to cut mileage and match vehicle size to the job. We’re exploring Renewable Diesel (HVO) and keep fleet servicing local to reduce unnecessary travel.

Our second depot in Berkhamsted now supports deliveries into London and the South East. This has significantly reduced driver hours and emissions in some of our busiest regions, giving us more flexibility and lowering our environmental impact.

Inside Our Warhouses

We’ve introduced electric forklifts and are working towards reducing our reliance on diesel over time. Our warehouse management system keeps track of stock and supplier data, and we’ve gone digital with stocktakes using PDAs. Damaged pallets are donated to local tradespeople and DIYers where possible.

Our People

Being a Living Wage Employer is just the start. We back our team with proper support – whether that’s training, development, flexible working, or making sure people can grow into the roles that suit them best.

We’re exploring cycle to work schemes and car sharing to make commuting greener and more affordable.

From 2025, we’re proud to be partnering with the Licensed Trade Charity (LTC). They do fantastic work supporting those in our industry when things get tough – from mental health services to financial support and everything in between.

Mindful Drinking & Low/No

We backed the low and no movement before it became a buzzword. Today, we stock a vast catalogue of products for customers looking to enhance their mindful drinking range. From cutting-edge craft to familiar favourites, we’ve got options that fit every menu. We’re also looking into how we can support the work of organisations like Drink Aware and The Drinks Trust to promote conscious consumption across the trade.

Helping Customers Make More Sustailable Choices

We make it easier for our customers to go greener:

Partnering with producers who do the right thing
Stocking sustainable options across every price point
Encouraging smarter packaging
Running campaigns that educate and inform

Putting It into Practice

Everyone at Inn Express plays a part. We will:

Appoint a sustainability lead or team
Train staff on practical steps
Work with suppliers and customers to keep raising the bar

Keeping Track

We’re serious about progress. That means:

Regular reviews and internal audits
Yearly updates on where we’re at and what’s next
Working with industry experts to keep standards high

A Policy With Purpose

This policy isn’t here to tick boxes. It’s here to keep us honest, focused, and improving. We know real progress takes time, but we’re committed to it. Our customers expect it, and we do too.

Always Improving

We’ll keep this policy under review, update it with new ideas and make sure it evolves as we do. Sustainability isn’t a project; it’s a mindset.

In Summary

Sustainability is part of how we operate, make decisions and plan for the future. From local hiring to low-emission deliveries, recycled packaging to electric forklifts – we’re making small, smart changes that add up to something bigger.