midcounties co-op

Energy saver: Midcounties Co-op

The Midcounties Co-op has cut energy use and diverted over 3,000 tonnes of waste from landfill as part of recent sustainability initiatives.

Midcounties, which said it had a “milestone year” for sustainability, saved a collective 1,500 tonnes of CO2 by reducing its energy use by 4% in 2016.

The retailer also reduced its total amount of waste to 3,600 tonnes by increasing recycling levels to 91%, up 7% on the previous year.

Midcounties set up a dedicated environmental steering group eight years ago and pledged to reduce its energy use by 3% by the end of 2016 and by 20% by 2026.

“As a co-operative we take our environmental responsibility very seriously and 2016 marked a momentous moment for us in terms of exceeding our sustainability targets and reinforcing our ongoing commitment to recycle and reduce energy consumption,” said Midcounties community and sustainability manager Mike Pickering.

“We’re very proud of our colleagues who put in over 400 volunteering hours last year on environment projects to help us achieve our targets. It’s important for all retailers and individuals to take an active role to reduce energy usage and embrace smarter recycling as our natural resources come under more and more pressure.”

Midcounties operates more than 500 grocery retail, travel, funeral care, childcare, healthcare and energy sites in the UK.