Retailers sign Bangladesh safety accord after factory deaths
Major fashion retailers H&M, Primark and Zara have joined the likes of Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Tesco in signing the Accord on Building Fire and Safety in a bid to improve workplace standards at factories in Bangladesh. The move comes after more than 1,100 people were killed after a garment factory building
collapsed in the country’s capital city of Dhaka. More than 38 retailers have signed the legally binding agreement committing them to improving dangerous factories and confronting fire safety and structural problems. It covers more than 1,000 Bangladeshi garment factories. It was developed by IndustriALL Global Union and UNI Global Union alongside a host of other organisations. IndustriALL Global Union general secretary, Jyrki Raina said: “The companies who signed up are to be applauded…We are talking improving the working conditions and lives of some of the most exploited workers in the world, earning $38 a month in dangerous conditions.” UNI Global Union general secretary, Philip Jennings described the accord as a “turning point” but criticised those companies which have not signed up. He said: “Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, is out of step. By not signing up the Walmart brand sinks to a new low. Equally Gap’s refusal to join is a mistake that shoppers will not forget. We will make progress without them.”
Holland & Barrett to adopt biomass energy across 700 stores
Health food chain Holland & Barrett’s parent firm NBTY Europe has
announced plans to adopt 100% renewable biomass energy across its 700 UK store estate. As part of the company’s ‘Plan It Green’ initiative Holland & Barrett will use Haven Power to supply the energy generated from
biomass which is produced from organic, plant-based materials such as wood chips. Commenting on the move, legal director at NBTY Europe Roger Craddock said: “Our ‘Plan It Green’ programme means we are constantly looking for ways to lower our carbon footprint and ensure our energy-saving and recycling schemes span the whole business, extending to every single store we operate. This decision to adopt 100% sustainable power was an easy one because Haven’s dedication to renewable energy mirrors both our own - and our customers - values on protecting the environment.” Richard Robey, sales and marketing director at Haven Power, added: “Using a biomass system is an effective way of demonstrating commitment to being more sustainable.” The Plan It Green initiative, which was launched in 2007 and since updated, also features policies for waste and recyclables, energy saving, staff initiatives and ethical sourcing.
Matalan installs wireless energy management system
UK clothing and shoe retailer Matalan is installing a web enabled wireless Building Energy Management System (BEMS) at 206 of its 216-store estate. Average energy savings of 18% were reported from a recent measure taken across 141 completed stores, while the annual financial saving is thought to be £668,676.
In the wake of regulatory pressures
of the CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment), the company began a ‘switch it off’ campaign as the basic first step to better manage its energy use. Around the same time, the management team began to scrutinise more closely the company’s energy data. This led to some wiring changes and the replacement of high-bay lighting with more efficient T5 lighting. Another fact to emerge from this scrutiny was the need for a more robust level of control over environmental comfort, varying levels of lighting and electromechanical equipment. With the Matalan estate registering a combined energy cost of over £12m per year, energy consultants Inenco suggested that the company consider the UK- manufactured WEMS’ wireless system.
JUNE 2013 | RETAIL ENVIRONMENT 11
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