ESG DIGEST - Q3 2026

Q3 has been a quarter of recognition, development, and continued action across ESG at SMI.

From receiving international recognition to strengthening our supplier assessments, we've continued developing our approach across several areas.

We've expanded our environmental data, introduced more flexible recycling options, and continued supporting causes that are important to our colleagues.

We've also been working to give customers greater visibility of their environmental impact and the information behind the products they choose.

Read on to find out what we've been working on throughout Q3.

GREEN APPLE ENVIRONMENT AWARD WINNER

We're proud to have been named a winner in the International Green Apple Environment Awards 2026.

Selected from more than 700 entries from organisations around the world, we were recognised within the 'Products - Environmental Improvement' category.

Our entry, Creating a Better Earth, highlighted several initiatives designed to improve environmental transparency and support more informed purchasing decisions.

OUR EVERYDAY EARTH ICONS

A key part of our submission was our Everyday Earth catalogue icons.

These icons highlight environmental impact, transparency, and traceability information across our product range.

They can provide information on areas including:

• Third-party audits
• Product materials
• Methods of transport

Making this information easier to access helps customers better understand the products they choose and make more informed purchasing decisions.

Our Responsible Sustainable Partner Strategy (RSPS) also formed part of our award submission.

The strategy provides valuable procurement and sustainability data, helping us better assess our supply chain and provide greater transparency to customers.

Receiving recognition through this international awards programme is an achievement we're incredibly proud of.

RSPS - NEW VERSION RELEASED

Our Responsible Sustainable Partner Strategy (RSPS) has been refreshed, with more than 25 additional suppliers contacted to complete the updated assessment.

The assessment measures performance against our three key pillars:

• Human Rights
• Business Ethics
• Protecting Our Planet

WORKING WITH OUR SUPPLIERS

Completing the assessment helps us work collaboratively with suppliers towards shared sustainability goals.

This supports ethical labour practices, environmental improvements, and the protection of human rights throughout the supply chain.

Our biannual assessments also help:

• Share best practice
• Maintain open dialogue
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement

The strategy provides measurable data that gives customers greater visibility across their supply chains. It also helps suppliers identify areas where they can strengthen their own approach.

WHAT'S CHANGED?

We've updated the assessment to capture more accurate, detailed, and meaningful information across our supply chain.

Key changes include:

• Expanding coverage of cybersecurity and data protection
• Separating and consolidating questions to improve clarity
• Introducing clearer, more user-friendly ways to input data
• Including product emissions and lifecycle data within the main questionnaire

DIVERT FROM EARTH, POWERED BY AVENA - SITE VISIT

In September, we visited Avena's Norwich site to see waste diversion in action and follow the journey of end-of-life textiles and PPE.

During the tour, we saw the textile shredding process firsthand and gained a greater understanding of how materials are handled and processed.

We also saw products created from recovered materials, including Avena's innovative concrete blocks, which incorporate shredded textiles into their composition.

Seeing the process firsthand gave us a real appreciation of the work involved in transforming end-of-life materials into valuable new resources.

INTRODUCING A NEW RECYCLING BIN

We've also introduced a new 90L hopper bin as part of our Divert from Earth scheme.

The smaller model supports sites that generate lower volumes of textile and PPE waste, or those with limited space for waste storage.

Previously, our 240L bin was the smallest available option.

The additional 90L size gives customers another choice and makes the scheme more accessible for a wider range of sites.

PRODUCT SCOPE DATABASE

As our product range grows, we're expanding the sustainability data we hold alongside it.

This year, we've added many more cleaning and janitorial products to our range.

As a result, we've carried out additional research to capture their environmental data as part of our Scope 3 emissions reporting.

BUILDING BETTER PRODUCT DATA

Building and maintaining this database gives us a deeper understanding of the environmental impact of the products we supply.

It helps us identify opportunities to reduce our Scope 3 emissions while providing customers with valuable sustainability information.

As sustainability reporting requirements continue to develop, investing in this data now helps us build greater transparency for the future.

It also gives customers more information to support their own sustainability objectives.

SOCIAL IMPACT

Our colleagues continued fundraising and volunteering throughout Q3, supporting causes that matter to them and our local communities.

FUNDRAISING FOR MIND

In July, we held Wimbledon and World Cup-themed office days, where colleagues could dress up and make a donation to take part.

Alongside a bottle tombola, these activities helped us raise £357.96 during the quarter for our charity of the year, Mind.

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES

Our volunteering continued throughout the quarter, including a local litter pick and our quarterly nursing home visit.

We also spent time supporting LifeHouse, a local charity located between our head office and distribution centre.

During our visit, colleagues helped serve breakfast to people facing difficult circumstances and prepared food parcels for those needing additional support.

Following our visit, we've prepared further donations based on items the LifeHouse team highlighted as being in particularly high demand.

ECOVADIS 2026 RESULTS

This year, we maintained our overall EcoVadis score of 70/100. However, changes to wider EcoVadis benchmarking resulted in our medal moving from Silver to Bronze.

While this wasn't the outcome we hoped for, transparency is important to us, and we wanted to share this update with our customers.

Maintaining our overall score reflects the ongoing work across the business as sustainability expectations continue to rise.

Since our first EcoVadis assessment in 2023, our overall score has increased from 52/100 to 70/100.

OUR PROGRESS SINCE 2023

Since 2023, we've improved our score across every assessment category.

The latest assessment has also given us valuable insight into where we can strengthen our approach further.

We've already incorporated this feedback into our plans for the year ahead.

We remain focused on taking meaningful action to strengthen our sustainability performance and deliver positive outcomes for customers, colleagues, and communities.

ESG AT SMI - Q3 PROGRESS SNAPSHOT

Our Q3 figures provide another snapshot of activity across our environmental and social initiatives.

We'll continue building on this work throughout the rest of 2026, working with our customers, suppliers, colleagues, and communities to make a positive impact.