Retailers lead the way in cutting waste

The report said that it makes good business sense for retailers to reduce waste, energy and water usage as it delivers value for customers and shareholders as well as real environmental benefits.

The BRC said this “down to earth” approach has attracted support from leading environmental groups. Many of these groups said that retail is where the innovation is coming from.

The Carbon Trust said: “It’s clear that the retail industry is taking climate change seriously.”

The BRC-led project, A Better Retailing Climate, was launched in 2008. It commits businesses representing the majority of the UK retailers to sector-wide environmental ambitions.

In 2008 retailers committed to reduce waste sent to landfill to below 15 per cent by 2013. Signatories beat this target two years early, sending just 14 per cent of waste to landfill in 2011, down from 45 per cent in 2005.

They also committed to reduce transport delivery emissions by 15 per cent by 2013. They achieved a 23 per cent reduction by 2011.

They committed to cut energy-related emissions from buildings by 25 per cent by 2013. By 2011, emissions were down by 20 per cent.

British Retail Consortium head of environment Bob Gordon said: “Despite current economic difficulties, retailers are continuing to work with their suppliers to meet tougher sustainability goals.

“This BRC assessment shows that the UK has the most progressive retail sector in the world and crucially that work with consumers and environmental groups is driving standards up. Some previous targets have been met ahead of schedule but investment continues, protecting consumers’ wallets and the planet.”

Some 25 retail businesses have signed up to the A Better Retailing Climate commitments.

They include Leeds-based Asda which managed to divert 94 per cent of its operational waste from landfill by the end of 2010.

Bradford-based Morrisons received praise for its ‘Let’s Grow’ programme, designed to inspire schoolchildren about how food is grown. In 2010 the programme won environmental recognition at the international Green Awards, where ‘Let’s Grow’ was named Best Green Educational Project.

Morrisons has donated over £10m of gardening and cooking equipment to over 26,500 schools, representing two thirds of all primary schools in the UK.