Central England Co-op has been re-awarded three Carbon Trust Standards for its continued efforts to improve sustainability across its operations.
Efforts by the society, under its corporate responsibility strategy, include the use of LED lighting across hundreds of food stores and petrol stations, which has reduced the society’s carbon footprint by around 3.4% and saved enough electricity to power 1,600 homes a year. Since 2010, Central England has reduced its total carbon footprint by 35.8 %.
Luke Olly, energy efficiency lead at the society, said: “Our activities across all of the business operations have made considerable positive environmental impacts such as installing glass doors to chiller cabinets and LED lighting as part of our new store and refurbishment programme.
“We also take great pride in our eco-friendly stores and sustainable retailing. The government 5p carrier bag charge has been successful in reducing the number of single-use carrier bags used by our customers.
“We are dedicated to making a real difference and being environmentally responsible plays an important part in our overall success.”
The Carbon Trust Standard is among the world’s leading independent certifications of an organisation’s environmental sustainability achievements, verifying progress across the important areas of carbon emissions, waste outputs, and water use.
It is managed by the Carbon Trust, an organisation set up by the government in 2001 to accelerate the move to a sustainable, low carbon economy.
The standards are awarded in recognition of best practice and real achievement in reducing environmental impact and improving resource management.
Central England chief executive Martyn Cheatle said: “Corporate responsibility is at the heart of how our organisation operates and is embedded within the way we work in delivering our strategy.
“We have reduced our carbon footprint by thinking locally, invested in green energy options, significantly reduced our food and non-food waste, and revolutionised the energy efficiency of every store.”
John Newton, associate director at the Carbon Trust, said: “It is great to see that as Central England Co-operative continues to increase its focus on improving sustainability, this is helping the business to deliver ongoing reductions in carbon emissions, water use and waste.
“We are delighted to recognise the efforts that have gone into achieving this from across the organisation by awarding triple recertification to the Carbon Trust Standard as a mark of progress.”
