Central England Co-op achieves top environmental standards recognition for the third time

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 27/01/2020

Central England Co-op has secured a treble treble having been awarded three Carbon Trust Standards for reducing its carbon emissions, waste and water use for the third time.

The Society has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to the environment by achieving the standards, which are internationally recognised environmental certifications for reducing organisational water use and waste and carbon outputs.

This now means that the retailer sits alongside only three retailers who hold all three of the standards – Wholesale company Booker and shopping giants Harrods and Selfridges.

Central England Co-op secured the standards for a third time due to its long-term efforts to tackle sustainability across all of its business operations as part of its corporate responsibility strategy.

Initiatives to achieve the milestone have included the installation of new energy efficient refrigeration technologies and LED lighting and changes to funeral and distribution network reducing road miles and increasing fuel efficiency

Measures such as these have helped reduce its carbon footprint by 61% since 2010.

Hannah Gallimore, Corporate Responsibility Manager, said: “As a Co-operative, our ethical credentials mean we are brilliantly placed to do the right thing as a responsible business.

“We have reduced our carbon footprint by invested in green energy options and revolutionised the energy efficiency of every store.

“Everyone involved with Central England Co-operative is delighted to have been re-awarded by the Carbon Trust for a third time.”

Luke Olly, Energy and Environment Lead at Central England Co-op, said: “As a responsible business, we are committed to minimising our impact on the environment and, as a result, our activities across all of the business operations have made considerable positive environmental impacts.

“The award of this historic treble treble when it comes to Carbon Trust Standards is a reflection of just how seriously we take our role as an environmentally responsible retailer and business as a whole.

“We, however, do not rest on our laurels and are continually working on new ideas and innovations to ensure we continue to make a real impact and difference when it comes to being a sustainable business.”

The Carbon Trust Standard is among the world’s leading independent certifications of an organisation’s environmental sustainability achievements, verifying progress across important areas including carbon emissions, waste outputs, and water use.

It is accredited by the Carbon Trust, an international climate change consultancy.

The standards are awarded in recognition of best practice and real achievement in reducing environmental impact and improving resource management. 

John Newton, Associate Director, the Carbon Trust, said: “The ongoing reductions made by Central England Co-op demonstrate real progress. Achieving reductions year on year becomes harder over time, so recertifying to these standards is certainly something for the business to be proud of.”

Notes to editors

Picture caption: Hannah Gallimore, Corporate Responsibility Manager, and Luke Olly, Energy Environment Lead, were celebrating after Central England Co-op secured three Carbon Trust Standards for its efforts to cut carbon emissions, water use and waste.

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. 

It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, travel shops, and property investment.

Central England Co-operative has over 400 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2019.

Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.  It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence.  The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.

Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to member activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.

Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop

For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative

Rob Smyth and James Brindle at Central England Co-operative on 01543 421390

Email –publicrelations@centralengland.coop