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

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 06/09/2021

Central England Co-op has been re-awarded three Carbon Trust Standards for reducing its carbon emissions, waste and water use for the fourth time.

The Society has showcased 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 a handful of retailers who hold all three of the standards but is the only supermarket to have the prestigious accolade.

Central England Co-op secured the standards for a fourth time due to its long-term efforts to tackle sustainability across all of its business operations as part of its corporate responsibility strategy and its recent pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Its eco commitment is evident in some of the major milestones it has achieved in recent years.
These include:

• Reducing electricity usage by 51% since 2010
• Reducing natural gas usage by 58% since 2010
• Reducing refrigeration gas emissions by 69% since 2010
• New stores use as little as 50% less electricity
• Reducing food waste by 40% during the past three years from 2,445 tonnes in 2017 to 1,085 tonnes in 2020

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 investing in green energy options and revolutionising energy efficiency across our Society.

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

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. 

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 the three standards for a fourth time 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.”

Notes to editors

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK with interests in food, funeral, floral and property investment.

Owned by hundreds of thousands of members, its over 7,800 colleagues serve customers across 400 plus trading sites in 16 counties in the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

Its purpose is to inspire communities to create a sustainable Society for all.

It actively campaigns for the Government to increase sentencing for violent attacks on retail workers and works with FareShare Midlands and hundreds of food banks, generating enough food donations to create over 2.1 million meals for people in need.

The Society embraces inclusivity and equality and is a signed-up member to the Business in the Community (BITC) Race at Work Charter, while it is also fully committed to addressing the impact of climate change and is on track to be Carbon Neutral by 2030. 

It invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities through its Community Dividend Fund scheme which has seen over £175,000 shared out between 116 good causes over the past 12 months.

Central England Co-op was named Leading Co-op of the Year by Co-operatives UK in 2021.

Press office contacts: Rob Smyth and James Brindle

Phone - 01543 421390

Email - publicrelations@centralengland.coop