felixtoweAug09part1.qxp 10/08/2009 15:49 Page 12
Local News
East of England Co-op smashes
small degradable plastic carrier bag and 2p for the large
size. A selection of environmentally friendly alternatives is also
carrier bag reduction target
available including a specially designed range of Bags for
The
Life.
East of England Co-oper-
The Society has a real commitment to environmental issues
ative Society is calling on
and a concern for the communities where it trades. It pur-
other food retailers to follow
chases all of its electricity from green sources, employs an
its lead after the recent
Energy Manager to address energy saving initiatives within the
announcement that the major supermarkets had failed to hit
business, including investment in intelligent electricity and gas
the voluntary target of a 50% cut in plastic carrier bags given
metering. It works with a dedicated consultant from the
out in store compared to 2006 figures. The Society, which is
Carbon Trust on carbon management and incorporates
the largest independent retailer in East Anglia, stopped giving
energy efficient systems and equipment into new and refur-
away free carrier bags in its portfolio of 140 food stores,
bished stores and buildings. A wide range of measures to
supermarkets and petrol stations in September last year.
assist recycling are also in place and it has a dedicated
Richard Samson, Chief Executive said: "When we introduced
Local Sourcing Manager to support local producers and to
the scheme we had hoped for a reduction of around 75 -
save food miles.
80%. "In fact, we have achieved a reduction of 84% on the
previous year's figures, which is way ahead of the industry
average and sets a clear benchmark for others to follow.
"We're delighted that our customers have readily embraced
our scheme and we are now saving over half a million carrier
bags a week from going to landfill - so far the total number
saved has been a massive 25 million!
"There is now a huge public awareness about this issue and
customers are much more open to change than they are
being given credit for by some other retailers, but to make
real progress nationally we now need the other major super-
market chains to bite the bullet and stop giving away free
carrier bags." Mr Samson added: "If our competitors fol-
lowed our lead there would be huge benefits to communities
across the country." The East of England Co-op encourages
customers to reuse their own bags and charges 1p for its
www.flyeronline.co.uk Please mention The Flyer when responding to advertisements
19
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24