This delivers several major benefits:


• Transparency: each retailer sees their own data on waste volumes, recycling rates and categories.


• Accountability: clear tracking reduces disputes about contamination charges.


• Competition: by introducing a ‘leaderboard’ mentality, retailers are encouraged to improve their recycling rates.


• Reporting: the landlord can easily access detailed data for sustainability reporting, helping meet ESG targets and investor expectations.


We also made sure the technology was accessible and easy to use. In fact, every participating tenant said the instructions and display were easy to understand. This level of user satisfaction has been critical in building lasting engagement and changing habits on the ground.


Education and engagement


Technology alone isn’t enough. We knew that success depended on changing behaviours across the site. That meant investing in training and communication.


We ran a dedicated retailer engagement programme to explain the new system, using clear educational materials and visual aids. Every retailer was trained on how to use the platform and encouraged to share that knowledge with their teams, so the burden didn’t fall on a single staff member.


Churchill’s on-site waste champion also ran a work shadowing and training programme, identifying real-world challenges in back-of-house and kitchen operations. This hands-on approach was critical for uncovering the small but significant barriers that often lead to contamination and waste going to landfill.


Real results on the ground


Since launching the Carrot platform in December 2024, we’ve seen consistent and measurable improvements. Coffee cup recycling alone rose from just 0.0093 tonnes in April 2025 to 0.28 tonnes in May 2025, after retailers like ITSU, Pret, McDonald’s and HOP Vietnamese redirected items such as soup pots, sushi boxes and ice cream cups into the correct recycling stream.


Mixed recycling volumes increased by 47% since the project began, while food waste recycling rose by 20%. Most impressively, general waste has been reduced by over 40%, saving around £1,500 per month in waste management costs.


For a centre with 22m annual visitors, that represents a significant environmental and


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operational impact. The project has also delivered a cultural shift among retailers, who now see waste segregation as a shared environmental mission rather than a compliance obligation.


This work aligns with broader sustainability frameworks, supporting progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting responsible consumption and production practices.


“This project demonstrates that


sustainability and cost savings can go hand in hand.”


Financial and operational benefits


Beyond the obvious environmental wins, this project demonstrates that sustainability and cost savings can go hand in hand. The entire programme was funded via the service charge, with an annual cost of around £9,000 – equivalent to just six months’ savings of the previous annual waste budget.


In the longer term, accurate tracking and reduced general waste can also support eligibility for green tax incentives or sustainability grants from local or national government. This will help the landlord and its tenants strengthen their business case for further investment in sustainable practices.


That kind of ROI is compelling. It shows that with the right approach, investing in better waste management isn’t a cost burden, but an opportunity to drive long- term savings, meet compliance requirements and strengthen relationships with tenants.


Leading the way for retail sustainability


We believe this approach is scalable. There’s potential to roll this out across other retail schemes, estates and office buildings, replicating the environmental, operational and financial benefits we’ve seen at West One.


Of course, waste management is never a one-time fix. We’re committed to continuous improvement, exploring new waste streams such as straws and coffee grounds, and helping retailers maintain momentum.


We’re determined to keep driving that change by supporting our customers, protecting the environment and showing that sustainability is simply good business.


www.churchill-cleaning.co.uk TOMORROW'S CLEANING | 39


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