We take our responsibility towards
Responsible by design, since 1990.
At Indian Ocean®, our approach to sustainability is rooted in the way we source, manufacture and build our furniture to last.
Since 1990, we have taken a long-term approach to our environmental responsibilities, working to make considered choices about the materials we use, the way our furniture is produced and the impact of our wider operations.
A longstanding commitment to responsible Teak
Our commitment to responsibly sourced timber began early in our history.
In 1995, we helped establish the WWF 95+ Group, a pioneering partnership between businesses and WWF. As founding members, we worked to ensure that timber was sourced from well-managed forests.
The creation of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) enabled us to supply FSC® certified Teak products, and we are proud to hold FSC Licence N004344.
FSC Licence Indian Ocean Trading Company Ltd
Responsibly sourced Teak
Teak is at the heart of many of our collections and we take its provenance seriously.
All our Teak comes from legal, responsibly managed plantations and is fully traceable. It is harvested by local experts, and we have worked closely with our partner factory to spearhead sustainable manufacturing practices.
We select premium FSC Grade A Plantation Teak for our furniture a naturally durable hardwood with a long service life.
Responsible manufacturing
Our environmental responsibilities extend beyond the timber itself.
We have worked closely with our manufacturing partners over many years to develop more sustainable manufacturing practices and to continually improve the way our furniture is produced.
We also take our social responsibilities seriously. We expect our suppliers to share these values and insist that our international partners exceed local labour standards. Alongside this, we continue to support the local orphanage in our major supply area. Our 2026/27 project is the complete renovation of 36 bathrooms for the children, including connecting the orphanage bathrooms to the mains water supply.
Designed to last
We believe longevity is an important part of responsible design.
Our furniture is made for outdoor living and designed to withstand the elements, with materials selected for their durability, performance and long-term use.
We believe that furniture designed to last is furniture that does not need to be replaced unnecessarily.
Reducing waste and using resources responsibly
We operate a green policy throughout our stores, offices and warehouse, using energy and resources as efficiently as possible.
When we deliver your furniture, we remove the packaging materials on your behalf and ensure they are recycled appropriately.
We also consider the end-of-life potential of the materials we use and our All Weather-Rope and BATYLINE® technical materials are 100% recyclable.
Supporting UK woodland
We are members of Forest Carbon and make an ongoing contribution towards woodland creation across the UK as part of our commitment to addressing our carbon footprint.
Since 2006, Forest Carbon projects have supported the planting of more than 10.3 million trees, helping to remove more than 2.1 million tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere and contributing to the creation of 220+ forests.
These woodland projects provide benefits beyond carbon removal, including creating habitats for wildlife, supporting biodiversity, helping to mitigate local flood risks and providing public access to nature.
A commitment that continues
Sustainability is not a recent addition to what we do. It has been part of Indian Ocean's approach since the business was founded.
From responsibly sourced Teak and sustainable manufacturing, to the materials we select, the resources we use and the woodland we help create, we continue to look for practical ways to operate more responsibly.
Designed to endure.
