"Climate change represents the biggest threat we’ve ever faced as a species and it is good to see the broad range of companies, organisations and individuals that see it as their responsibility to take sustainability to the heart of what they do. Whilst in the past, the received wisdom was that ethics cost money, now it’s understood that it is a lack of ethics which is the expensive option"
Zac Goldsmith, who presented last year’s awards
London, UK: Sainsbury is up for an award for Resource Conservation at the Sustainable City Awards, which take place in London on 13 February. Success could also mean entry to sustainability awards at European level.
The major retailer has qualified for the Awards on a number of counts including:
Waste
The company is to reduce waste sent to landfill by 50% relative to sales by 2010, from a baseline of 2005/06.
Also it intends to reduce the environmental impact of plastic carrier bags by 50% by 2008, which is double the original commitment of 25%.
Packaging
Sainsbury intends to reduce the amount of packaging used on fresh fruit and vegetables by 25% by May 2008 from a 2006/07 baseline.
By May 2008, 50% of the packaging used on fruit and vegetables will be recyclable, reusable or compostable.
Sustainable Construction
By March 2008, 30% of Sainsbury’s construction projects will be delivered using the company’s recycling and consolidation centre delivering a 50% reduction in vehicle movements.
Also by the same date the company will have 100% of construction suppliers accredited to a recognised environmental management system and 100% of construction waste will be recycled on 60% of Sainsbury’s projects.
A spokesperson for the company said:
“At Sainsbury’s we recognise how our business impacts on the natural environment and as a responsible, major retailer we have an ongoing commitment to show leadership and make a difference by reducing our impact. Through environmentally responsible operations, suppliers and products, we will reduce our impact through conserving our use of natural resources; reducing our wastage and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Sustainable City awards
The City of London Corporation stages the awards in conjunction with a number of partners, including the Society for the Environment which sponsors the Resource Comservation award with other organisations. The awards are open to all businesses; from global multinationals to SMEs, the public sector and voluntary organisations alike, to compete for the renowned, “Green Oscars”, awarded as recognition for achievements in sustainable business practice.
Since launch seven years ago, the awards have grown to become the most prestigious sustainability awards in the UK. They are one of only six feeder schemes for the European Business Awards for the Environment, which means all category winners have the chance of international recognition for their efforts.
Zac Goldsmith, who presented the awards to last year’s winners, said:
“Climate change represents the biggest threat we’ve ever faced as a species and it is good to see the broad range of companies, organisations and individuals that see it as their responsibility to take sustainability to the heart of what they do. Whilst in the past, the received wisdom was that ethics cost money, now it’s understood that it is a lack of ethics which is the expensive option.”
Further information
The Sustainable City Awards were established in 2001 by the City of London Corporation and are run in partnership with 20 organisations, including livery companies, trade bodies, voluntary sector organisations and businesses. Representatives from each of these organisations join the judging panel to select winners and runners-up across the award categories. Winners will be announced in a prestigious awards ceremony during which exemplary green credentials will be shared with an appreciative audience at Mansion House, the Lord Mayor’s official residence, on 13 February 2008.
For further information visit the City of London web site.