The MP for Hull West and Haltemprice visited MKM’s Anlaby branch to learn more about the merchant’s efforts to promote flood protection products, support communities vulnerable to flooding, and ensure its own branch network is equipped to respond quickly and effectively when severe weather strikes.

She was joined by Ian Pratt, Branch Director at MKM Anlaby, and David Millward, Sales Director of Fernco – a UK manufacturer of flood protection systems. The visit was supported by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), which has been instrumental in connecting parliamentarians with merchants as part of a wider review into Property Flood Resilience led by Professor Peter Bonfield OBE.

Ms Hardy said about the event:

“Flooding isn’t just a headline, it’s a reality for thousands of families, and I’ve seen first-hand the impact it has had right here in Hull.

“That’s why it was so encouraging to see a local business like MKM stepping up, not just selling the right products to help alleviate the potential for flooding, but starting the right conversations. They’re helping people think differently about flood resilience and act before it’s too late.”

Hull remains one of the UK’s most flood-prone cities, with thousands of homes and businesses affected during the 2007 floods. MKM Anlaby’s team has direct, lived experience of the devastation caused by flooding.

In 2007, it was the only time in the branch’s 29-year history that it closed early – reopening the next day to help supply sandbags and support the clean-up effort.

Speaking during the visit, Ian Pratt, Branch Director at MKM Anlaby, said:

“Flooding hits communities hard, and here in Hull, we’ve seen the consequences first-hand. That’s why we’re proud to do our bit — helping customers access the right flood resilience products and giving practical advice on how to better protect homes and properties.

It was a privilege to welcome our local MP, Emma Hardy, and show her the work we’re doing to raise awareness, stock practical solutions, and support a more resilient future — not just in Hull, but across our nationwide branch network.”

To coincide with Flood Action Week, MKM Anlaby has installed a dedicated display of Fernco flood protection products in-branch, backed by digital and print marketing, expert advice, and a feature blog. The activity aligns with wider MKM Group sustainability and ESG efforts.

David Millward, Sales Director at Fernco, added:

“We’re proud to work with MKM to make our flood protection range more accessible and visible to tradespeople, local authorities and homeowners.

“Partnerships like this — between manufacturers, merchants, and government — are essential if we’re to make flood resilience part of the everyday conversation in construction.”

Brett Amphlett, Policy & Public Affairs Manager at the BMF and a member of the Bonfield Review panel, facilitated the visit. He commented:

“The misery that flooding causes is inevitably local – and therefore the response must be local – from flood risk managers, builders’ merchants and others. Local merchants can provide what’s needed for immediate relief – followed by pumps, dryers, dehumidifiers and other materials and products in the resulting clean-up.

The Builders Merchants’ Federation supports this Review and is promoting it to builders’ merchants and civils and drainage specialists in our supply chain – especially in districts prone to flooding.”

UK – MKM Building Supplies (MKM), the UK’s proper independent builder’s merchant, has become the first in the industry to roll out bulk bags made from 100% recycled material.

Developed in partnership with Centurion Industrial Packaging, the new MKM bulk bags are made entirely from recycled polypropylene, including the stitching and labelling, offering a market-first solution that minimises landfill, helps customers cut waste and smashes the current environmental regulation requirements.

“This isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about leading the industry forward,” said Ric Bauer, MKM’s Head of Building Materials. “We’ve gone from 30% recycled content to 100% across all 135 branches. It’s better for customers, better for compliance, and better for the planet.”

100% recycled. 100% recyclable.

“Most industry-standard bulk bags contain just 30% recycled content—the legal minimum. MKM’s new bags fully realise that potential by using 100% recycled polypropylene, which means diverting significant plastic waste from landfill and reducing the demand for virgin materials.”

Independently strength-tested in the UK, the bags meet rigorous safety standards. While designed for single use in line with industry safety regulations, they remain robust enough for a variety of secondary uses by landscapers and homeowners.

Carbon savings and regulatory wins for customers

The switch to fully recycled bags significantly reduces MKM’s environmental footprint, lowering the carbon impact of both materials and waste disposal. In turn, this helps customers with:

• Compliance with new waste separation rules: As of 31 March 2025, all UK businesses with over 10 employees must separate recyclable materials at source.
• Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs): Using recyclable bags supports construction businesses in meeting regulatory expectations and sustainability targets.

A rollout at scale: 65,000 bags a month — and counting

MKM is already distributing 65,000 bags per month across its 135 branches, with projections that 800,000 fully recyclable bags will be used each year as the business scales. An initial bulk order of 250,000 100% recycled bags has been secured from Centurion to ensure continuous supply and protect against global shipping disruptions.

Although older 30% recycled content bags remain in limited circulation at some branches – due to legacy stock commitments – MKM has now ceased all purchasing of non-100% recycled bags, and stock will be phased out as branches sell through existing pallets.

Ric added:

“We’ve already exhausted old bulk bag stock from our suppliers. From now on, it’s 100% recycled bags only. As older bags work their way through the system, every MKM customer will soon receive the better, greener option – by default.”

Industry leadership — and a challenge to others

MKM holds exclusive UK supply rights to the 100% recycled bag design until 1 October 2025, putting it ahead of national competitors. But the company welcomes wider industry adoption of recycled packaging to drive meaningful change.

“We’re proud to be out front on this, but it goes without saying we’d be happy if other merchants follow. It’s a brilliant and relatively easy step to better the building industry’s environmental impact.” said Ric.