We manufacture in the UK, source responsibly, and mean it.
Every Lunaire Works panel is cut and finished at our own workshop in Cambridgeshire, using FSC-certified MDF sourced from suppliers who hold independent chain-of-custody accreditation. This page explains exactly what that means in practice — how our materials are sourced, how manufacturing locally reduces shipping emissions, how we handle packaging, and what we recommend when it's time for a panel to be replaced.
Last updated & effective: 25 June 2026
Where we stand on sustainability
Wall panelling is a long-life home improvement. A set of Lunaire Works panels, properly installed and painted, will outlast several rounds of redecorating — that durability is one of the most straightforward sustainability arguments we can make. But durability alone isn't a complete picture, so this page sets out the decisions we make further back in the supply chain.
We are a small UK manufacturer. We don't claim to be carbon-neutral, and we won't make promises we can't stand behind. What we can do is explain our material sourcing, our manufacturing location, our packaging choices, and our approach to offcut waste — and let you decide whether that meets your own standards.
This statement is written in line with the UK Green Claims Code (CMA, 2021), which requires that environmental claims be truthful, substantiated, clear, and not omit important information. Everything stated on this page reflects our current verified practices as of 25 June 2026.
FSC-certified material sourcing
The MDF and HDF boards used in all Lunaire Works panels come from suppliers who hold FSC chain-of-custody certification. Here is what that means, and what it doesn't.
What FSC certification means
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, international body that sets standards for responsible forest management. FSC chain-of-custody (CoC) certification covers the full supply chain from forest to finished product, ensuring that the wood fibre used in our board can be traced back to FSC-certified forests or controlled sources.
In practical terms, our board suppliers are audited regularly by an accredited third-party certification body. They must demonstrate that the raw timber they use is harvested in a way that protects biodiversity, water sources, and the rights of local communities — and that it can be traced through every stage of processing.
You can verify the FSC programme at fsc.org. If you require documentation confirming our suppliers' FSC CoC certificate numbers, please contact us at info@lunaireworks.com.
What FSC certification does not mean
FSC certification does not mean the wood is sourced locally to the UK, that no trees are ever cut, or that the manufacturing process has zero environmental impact. MDF is an engineered wood product: it binds wood fibres together using adhesive resins, and its production involves energy-intensive pressing and drying processes.
We share this so that our claims are accurate rather than vague. FSC certification is a meaningful and independently verified standard for responsible sourcing. It is one part of our overall approach, not a claim of perfect sustainability across every dimension.
Made in the UK — why that matters for emissions
Every panel sold by Lunaire Works is cut, finished, and packed at our own workshop in Cambridgeshire, England. We do not import finished wall panels from overseas and relabel them.
Manufacturing and selling within the United Kingdom significantly reduces the freight distance between production and customer compared to products imported by sea container from Asia, Southeast Asia, or Eastern Europe. Shorter freight distances mean lower transport-related carbon emissions per unit sold.
Our delivery network operates exclusively within the UK, using domestic carriers — Evri, Parcelforce, and DHL UK — rather than international freight. We do not currently ship internationally, which means the entire journey from our workshop to your home takes place within a comparatively short geographic distance.
We do not currently calculate or offset a specific carbon figure per order, and we won't claim otherwise. What we can say with confidence is that domestic UK manufacturing and domestic UK delivery represents a materially shorter supply chain than imported alternatives, and that the emissions associated with transporting our products are significantly lower as a result.
How our supply chain compares
Relative freight distance comparison. Not a carbon calculation — illustrative of supply chain length only.
Workshop waste and cut-to-order manufacturing
Because we manufacture every panel to the dimensions customers actually order, we naturally produce less offcut waste than a pre-cut, mass-production model.
Cut-to-order production
Our standard range is available in a number of set lengths, but a significant proportion of what we make is cut to the customer's specified height, width, or pack count. This means the board we order from our suppliers is allocated to real orders rather than pre-cut to a generic length and stored.
The direct consequence is that we carry less stock, generate fewer offcuts from mismatched standard sizes, and run a leaner production process overall. Offcuts that are generated at our workshop are collected and disposed of through licensed waste carriers in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011. We do not burn or landfill offcut MDF on-site.
MDF waste and regulation
MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) contains adhesive resins, which means it is classified as treated wood under UK waste regulations. This distinction is important: treated wood waste must be disposed of through licensed waste management routes and cannot be sent for general biomass energy recovery without appropriate permits.
Our workshop's waste management arrangements comply with the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 for any resin-bonded materials, and with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 more broadly. We hold the relevant waste carrier documentation and can provide this on request.
Packaging materials
Our panels are shipped in cardboard and corrugated board packaging. Here is a transparent account of what we use and why.
Cardboard outer boxes
All orders are packed in corrugated cardboard boxes. Cardboard is widely accepted in UK household kerbside recycling collections and by most local authority recycling centres under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 framework.
Internal protective materials
Where panels require additional cushioning during transit, we use paper-based corner and edge protection wherever possible. We are actively reducing our use of expanded polystyrene void fill and plastic film. For orders where protective wrapping is required, we use recyclable polyethylene film with a minimum 30% recycled content.
Recycling guidance for customers
Cardboard boxes and paper packing can go directly into your household recycling bin or local authority recycling centre. Any plastic film wrapping should be taken to a supermarket carrier bag recycling point rather than placed in household recycling (most kerbside collections do not accept soft plastics). Instructions are printed on the packaging.
Disposing of MDF panels at end of life
When it is time to remove or replace your panelling, it is important to dispose of MDF correctly. Here is what you need to know.
Do not burn MDF at home
MDF contains urea-formaldehyde or methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) resin binders. When burned in a domestic fire, wood-burning stove, or garden fire, these resins release formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to health. Do not burn MDF offcuts or old panels in any home appliance. This applies to both standard and moisture-resistant (MR) MDF.
General waste — your household bin or a skip
MDF in small quantities can be placed in your general household waste bin. For larger quantities — a full wall removal, for example — a skip is the most practical option. Ensure your skip hire company is a licensed waste carrier under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Skips are not for hazardous materials, but MDF in domestic quantities does not constitute hazardous waste for the purposes of household disposal.
Local authority household waste recycling centres (HWRCs)
Most UK local authority HWRCs (commonly known as tips or recycling centres) accept MDF under their wood waste stream. However, because MDF is classed as treated wood rather than clean timber, it cannot be sent for standard wood chip or biomass recycling. At HWRCs it is typically segregated for specialist disposal. Check with your local council before visiting — search gov.uk/find-local-council for your nearest centre and its accepted materials list.
Reuse before you dispose
If your panels are undamaged, consider whether they can be repainted and reused in another room, donated through platforms such as Freecycle or the Freegle network, or offered to a local community workshop or school for smaller craft projects. MDF panels that are still structurally sound have a long remaining useful life.
Cutting and sanding safety
When cutting or sanding MDF during installation or removal, fine MDF dust is generated. This dust can irritate the respiratory system on prolonged exposure. Always work in a well-ventilated space, wear an appropriate dust mask (at minimum FFP2 rated), and wear safety glasses when cutting. This applies to both standard and moisture-resistant MDF. Full installation guidance is included with every order.
Product longevity — the most sustainable panel is one that lasts
A properly installed and maintained Lunaire Works panel will provide decades of use. Here is how to maximise its lifespan.
Prime and paint properly
MDF absorbs moisture through cut edges if left unsealed. Apply one coat of MDF primer to all surfaces and edges before finishing paint. This dramatically extends the panel's lifespan and prevents edge swelling over time, particularly in rooms with any humidity variation such as hallways and bedrooms near external walls.
Choose the right product for the room
Standard MDF is not waterproof. For kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, choose our moisture-resistant (MR) MDF range. Even MR MDF should not be in direct or prolonged contact with water — install with appropriate gaps at the base and ensure the room is adequately ventilated. Using the correct product significantly reduces the likelihood of premature replacement.
Repaint rather than replace
One of the genuine environmental advantages of paintable MDF panelling over pre-finished alternatives is that redecorating simply requires a light sand and a fresh coat of paint. There is no need to remove and replace panels when you change the room's colour scheme. This means the same panels can serve through multiple decoration cycles across the life of the home.
UK regulatory framework we operate within
Lunaire Works is a UK-registered business and our environmental practices are governed by the following legislation and standards.
Environmental legislation
- Environment Act 2021 — the primary UK environmental framework, establishing legally binding targets for biodiversity, air quality, water, and waste reduction in England.
- Climate Change Act 2008 (amended 2019) — sets the UK's legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
- Environmental Protection Act 1990 — establishes the duty of care for waste handling and disposal for UK businesses.
- Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 — implements the waste hierarchy (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose) in law for UK businesses.
- Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 — governs the handling and transfer of hazardous waste including relevant composite wood materials.
Marketing and claims standards
- UK Green Claims Code (CMA, 2021) — requires that environmental marketing claims be truthful, substantiated, clear and prominent, not omit material information, and compare products fairly. All claims on this page comply with this Code.
- ASA CAP Code (UK Advertising Standards Authority) — UK advertising rules require that green claims in marketing, including on websites, be supported by robust evidence and not create a misleading overall impression.
- Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 — prohibits misleading commercial practices, including misleading sustainability claims made to consumers.
- Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 — packaging obligations for UK-registered sellers.
- COSHH Regulations 2002 — relevant to MDF dust control in workshop environments and applicable health guidance for customers during installation.
Where we are going — future commitments
We prefer to publish actions we have taken rather than aspirations we have not. The items below are areas we are actively investigating or working towards.
Under active review
- Carbon footprint measurement — We are investigating a methodology to calculate per-order carbon estimates for our UK production and delivery operations, consistent with the UK government's Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework guidelines.
- Packaging reduction — Working with our packaging supplier to move to entirely paper-based inner protection for all standard orders, eliminating remaining plastic film use where panel dimensions allow.
- Workshop energy — Exploring the feasibility of solar PV installation at our Cambridgeshire workshop to reduce reliance on grid electricity for machinery and lighting.
What we are not doing
We believe transparency requires us to be as clear about what we are not doing as what we are. At present, we do not:
- Purchase carbon offsets or claim to be carbon-neutral — we prefer not to make claims we cannot fully substantiate.
- Hold ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification — this is on our longer-term roadmap as the business grows.
- Operate a take-back scheme for old panels — we are monitoring the feasibility of this as MDF recycling infrastructure develops within the UK.
Questions, claims & company details
If you have a question about any environmental claim on this page, or wish to request supplier certification documentation, please get in touch directly.
Contact us
- Phone+44 33 0043 9923
- Emailinfo@lunaireworks.com
- Live ChatAvailable on the website during business hours
- Business HoursMon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (GMT, UK)
Registered company details
Lunaire Works is a trading name owned and operated by STERZEAL HATS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales.
- Registered company nameSTERZEAL HATS LIMITED
- Company registration no.13249070
- VAT numberGB433989551
- EORI numberGB084160128000
- Registered address126 Newark Avenue, Peterborough, PE1 4NP England, United Kingdom
Responsibly sourced, made in Cambridgeshire — ready for your wall.
Browse our full range of FSC-sourced, UK-manufactured wall panelling, or message us if you have a question about our materials or sustainability practices.
