UK grocery retailer Waitrose has today (24 November) opened its “greenest” store, as part of its ongoing commitment to cut CO2 by 80% across the business.
The retailer said the multi-million pound 25,000 sq ft store in Bracknell, Berkshire, is its “lowest carbon store yet”.
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As part of the retailer’s aim to achieve 15% absolute reduction in operational CO2 emissions between 2020 to 2021, Waitrose said it wants more of its stores to operate off-grid and plans to roll out on-site energy centres in future stores.
Some of the features in the store include a water meter so Waitrose can monitor the amount of water the shop is using. All unavoidable food waste will be sent to anaerobic digestion (AD) where it will be converted into renewable energy which will go back into the national grid, the retailer added.
Waitrose said 99% of construction waste from the build has been diverted from landfill. Recycled materials have been used extensively throughout the building.
A spokesperson for the company could not reveal exactly how much has been spent on the building but said it is a multi-million pound investment.
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By GlobalDataFrom next year, as part of its Responsible Development programme, all new Waitrose shops and major refurbishments will incorporate a biodiversity action plan.
In the last two years, Waitrose has installed new refrigeration units in 70 stores, as part of the retailer’s plan to reduce technology carbon emissions by 20%. The spokesperson added that Waitrose aims to have new refrigeration units in all of its stores in eight years time.
Waitrose director of development Nigel Keen said: “As a food retailer, boosting Britain’s biodiversity is important to us, given the vital role that wildlife plays in the pollination of crops.”
“Many of the features incorporated into the shop and car park make good business sense as they conserve the environment and help us save money.”
