Iceland and Co-op back plastic bottle deposit scheme

  Iceland and Co-op have become the first two supermarkets to support a UK-wide bottle deposit return scheme (DRS) to tackle plastic pollution. The retailers said they would back a mandatory DRS following the Environment Secretary Michael Gove’s consultation on the possibility of introducing it to boost recycling rates. A DSR would mean consumers get […]

Asda and Co-op team up on sustainability data

Asda and Co-op have launched a joint initiative to enable suppliers to submit aggregated data on energy, water and waste to both retailers. They are working with 2degrees to collect the sustainability data to drive supply chain efficiencies through working collaboratively. Suppliers who serve both retailers can submit their data once, which is expected to […]

Co-op reveals its secret energy saving weapon is… JLS

It seems an unlikely way to save energy but the supermarket Co-op has revealed its secret to efficiency is JLS. But the four singers of the X-Factor-founded boy band haven’t been drafted in to go round switching off the lights at stores. Instead, a pair of free tickets and VIP treatment at one of the band’s shows […]

Co-op to recycle all waste from UK food stores

Food retailer The Co-operative Group has pledged to divert all waste away from landfill from more than 2,800 of its stores in the UK. It is rolling out a new recycling scheme, which aims to recycle, convert into energy or reuse more than 34,000 tonnes of food store waste every year. Food waste, which makes […]

Confessions of an Energy Manager – Julie Stevenson

Julie Stevenson, Group Accountant at Lincolnshire Co-op Ltd explains how the Co-op are becoming more energy efficient.

Co-op gives £1m to community energy projects

The Co-op is giving £1million to renewable energy projects run by local communities. The Co-op Challenge will offer money and support to six to eight projects for renewable energy. Run by Bristol-based charity the Centre for Sustainable Energy, the scheme takes its cue from European projects, according to Paul Monaghan, Head of Social Goals at […]

Co-op to cut energy bills

Co-operative Energy, launched in May 2011, has decided to cut its prices in February 2012. The ethical gas and electricity provider will drop by an average of 3%, a 
saving of around £35 per year for the average household in the Midlands. The Co-operative say the move is a response to a recent fall in […]