Sustainability
Moving towards sustainable operations is a big part of our thinking. Here are some of the most recent initiatives behind the scenes in our supermarkets and supply chain.
Freight movements
Delivering perishable goods to stores in the best possible
condition isn't just about looking after our customers - it's also
about avoiding spoilage. So we're introducing innovative techniques
to cut down waste and inefficiency in freight handling.
Starting in late 2009, Progressive will ship seafood in the re-usable Foodcap system that enables us to stop using disposable polystyrene chiller boxes that come with a plastic liner, two plastic ice bags and a label.
Over a year that equates to 11,000kg or 11 tons of packaging that does not need to be sent to landfill or recycled.
At the same time, we have negotiated a new trucking contract with significant environment improvements., through the purchase of a new fleet of dedicated trucks to meet our requirements.
These trucks will be Euro 5 and Euro 5 EEV standard vehicles - the most advanced environmentally-friendly truck fleet in New Zealand.
The EEV (Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicles) standard is the most rigorous exhaust emission standard for internal combustion engines issued to date. EEV vehicles are the closest we can get to a virtually clean exhaust.
We are introducing these trucks ahead of regulation, with 2011 the planned year for Euro 5 implementation into New Zealand.
|
|
Carbon monoxide (CO) |
Hydrocarbons (HC) |
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) |
Particulate matter (PM |
Smoke |
|
Euro 3 |
5.45 |
0.78 |
5.0 |
0.16 |
0.8 |
|
EEV |
0.05 |
0.1 |
2.0 |
0.015 |
0.1 |
|
Change |
-99% |
-87% |
-60% |
-91% |
-88% |
Greener Stores
We're working harder than ever to make our stores "greener". In fact, Progressive is committed to helping to achieve an overall 40% reduction in our company's carbon footprint by 2015 (on projected growth levels), bringing our emissions back to 2006 levels. (More information available at http://crreport08.woolworthslimited.com.au/summary.php)
As part of an overall sustainability strategy, Progressive
Enterprises is looking to reduce the environmental footprint of all
stores. Our new supermarkets will include tried-and-tested
environmental improvements such as:
- Use of natural light
- Energy efficient refrigeration cabinets including upright freezers
- Freezer night blinds
- Building management systems
We are also looking at more far-reaching innovations in the way we design and run tomorrow's supermarkets. For instance, we have installed a hybrid refrigeration plant in the new Countdown Fraser Cove store, to run the entire refrigeration and freezer requirements of the site. The new plant runs on much more environmentally friendly refrigerants than was previously used in supermarket fridge systems. Innovations of this type will assist in reducing the carbon footprint of our stores.
As old refrigeration plant in existing stores comes due for replacement, so we will be introducing this new technology.
Fleet Efficiency
Progressive Enterprises has recently reviewed its car fleet to be
more sustainable. The review included factors such as driver
safety, driver comfort and environmental impact, as well as the
usual financial considerations.
Our new car policy now includes a shortlist of cars that are all NCAP 5 rated for safety and substantially more fuel-efficient than previous vehicles. Although our fleet is not yet fully converted, we are already seeing a 40% drop in fuel consumption per 100km travelled with the new vehicles.
Eco Ambassadors
In 2009 Progressive Enterprises introduced Eco Ambassadors, a
programme that had previously been successful in Woolworth
supermarkets in Australia. This programme involves recruiting team
members from throughout the company who have an interest in
environmental matters.
In addition to their normal job responsibilities, our Eco Ambassadors help to communicate environmental initiatives across the business and look for opportunities to save power or reduce waste in their part of the company. The programme is currently in pilot stage in New Zealand.
Earth Hour
This global promotion has galvanised people and communities
throughout New Zealand and around the world. We were proud to play
our part this year at 8.30pm on Saturday, March 28th. For one hour,
as many stores as possible in our New Zealand network went to half
lighting.
As well as cutting energy usage in a co-ordinated way, we were able to get the environmental message across to the thousands of our customers and Progressive Enterprises' staff members around the country.
Carbon Footprint
Progressive Enterprises is part of the Woolworths Australia Group.
To help ensure the whole organisation is tackling the issues of
environmental responsibility and reducing its carbon footprint, we
have analysed the entire business and co-ordinated our initiatives
across both New Zealand and Australia.
You can find out more about the Group's strategy for reducing our carbon footprint in Australasia - and some specific initiatives we are taking right now - by visiting our dedicated website.
Visit http://crreport08.woolworthslimited.com.au/ for the big picture on carbon footprint data and our latest reduction efforts.
