Our Commitment to a Better Future

Celebrating B Corp Month

B Corp Month is here, and at Winsor & Newton, we’re proud to be a Certified B Corporation™. This certification reflects our commitment to people, the planet and responsible business practices. We are part of a global movement of businesses using our platform to create positive change for both artists and the environment.

Sustainability in the art industry comes with challenges, but we see it as our responsibility to act. We've been the artist' ally since 1832 and our customers expect us to lead the way. We’re dedicated to making our products safer, reducing our environmental impact, and supporting the artistic community. This means innovating to address climate change and packaging waste, developing high-performance materials with safer ingredients, and ensuring accessibility to art for all.

Our colour factories reuse waste water, and our brush-making factory has a rainwater collection system to reduce freshwater consumption
We continue to develop colour formulations and remove unnecessary ingredients to ensure art materials are safe for artists and the environment. We’re working especially hard to tackle the use of cadmium.
We've committed to Science Based Targets and have a zero-waste target for all of our manufacturing sites
Solar panels at our EU and UK sites reduce the amount of energy used in manufacturing and increase renewable energy use
We’ve switched from virgin plastic packaging to 100% recycled plastic for 352 products – reducing an average of 248 tonnes of plastic going into landfill annually.
Green Winsor & Newton watercolour paint
Joining the global B Corp community

Winsor & Newton are proud to be a Certified B Corporation™ (B Corp). This certification highlights our commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. Discover how our efforts benefit both...

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I love vintage shopping and rummaging through second hand and antique shops. I often come home with far too many items, especially if I can use them to store my paint tubes, brushes or even use them as pencil holders.

Nicki Traikos

My trick used to be going to the back of the art shops where they often keep odd sheets of paper and offcuts: oddly shaped and coloured paper sheets can inspire something completely unique.

Marija Tiurina

Wash brushes in a jar of water overnight so the pigment settles at the base. You can then pour the majority of the water away and then scrape the pigment off and pop it in refuse rather than down the drain.

Chloe Moncrieff

I started utilising unused illustrations from my archives to collage and craft new illustrations, instead of drawing on a fresh piece of paper. I am always on the lookout for repurposed materials.

Elyse Blackshaw

Save old jars, pots and tins to use for paints and to store your brushes in. It doesn't cost anything.

Chloe Moncrieff

Every scrap of material that comes into my studio is used and re-used until exhausted, then at this point it is made into breeze blocks

Alice Wilson

To dispose of acrylic paint, let your palette dry and scrape the residue in the bin rather than pouring down a drain.

Chloe Moncrieff

People are routinely shocked to learn that I use water mixable oils. Healthier, eco-friendly products are very important to me, so I’m passionate about spreading the word about these paints.

Jane Hunt

If you don't like to waste paint, use leftovers as underpainting or for texture on another piece.

Chloe Moncrieff

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to be a Certified B Corporation?

Being a Certified B Corporation (or B Corp for short) means that a company has met high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Certified by the nonprofit B Lab, B Corps are committed to using business as a force for good, balancing profit with purpose.
Why is it important for Winsor & Newton to be a B Corp?

We’ve always believed that businesses should be a force for good, and B Corp certification provides both a framework and a global community to help us achieve that mission.
Winsor & Newton has made great strides in reducing waste and using renewable energy. Can you share more about those initiatives and the impact they’ve had so far?

Installing solar panels at our European and UK sites has been a significant milestone in our commitment to renewable energy and reducing our carbon footprint. Additionally, our alignment with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) reinforces our dedication to meaningful, science-driven climate action.

We also recognise that achieving zero waste is a collective effort, and our employees play a vital role in this mission. By engaging our teams in waste reduction initiatives, we’re fostering a culture of sustainability across the company, ensuring that every decision, big or small, contributes to a more sustainable future.
You’ve switched to 100% recycled plastic for certain product packaging. Are there any plans to expand this to other product lines?

We’re always exploring sustainable packaging solutions and actively assessing the feasibility of expanding the use of 100% recycled plastic across more product lines. Sustainability remains a key priority, and we are committed to finding innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact while maintaining the quality and functionality our customers expect.
How does Winsor & Newton balance sustainability with maintaining high-quality art materials?

Our commitment to responsible innovation ensures that our materials meet the highest standards while minimising environmental impact. Using sustainable raw materials never means compromising on quality, we strive to enhance both performance and sustainability in everything we create.
Winsor and Newton has supported mental health art initiatives like Hospital Rooms. Why is community engagement such a big part of the Winsor & Newton’s sustainability strategy?

It’s essential for sustainability because lasting change requires collective action. No single company, government or organisation can solve environmental and social challenges alone. These efforts together lead to a stronger more resilient future for both people and planet.
How does Winsor & Newton support artists in making more sustainable choices?

We offer sustainable alternatives, like recycled canvas, synthetic brushes, and cadmium free colours. Our paper, canvas and brushes are FSC certified and our pencils are PEFC certified.
How does being a B Corp certified open new opportunities for collaboration?

Being a B Corp gives access to a like-minded network and partnerships with companies that share similar values. It gives companies sustainability credentials integrity. It is more than a badge, it’s part of a wider global ecosystems that prioritise people plant and profit in equal measure.
What are the next big sustainability goals, targets and initiatives for Winsor & Newton?

Our commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative will form a low carbon transition plan which will be validated by the end of the year. Our recertification for B Corp in 2026. Sustainability and innovation also remains a key part of our roadmap.