Impact on the Environment
Woolworths has developed many initiatives and joined a range of programs that promote and aim to have minimal impact of the environment. Woolworths’ retail businesses are signatories to the Kyoto Protocol which is an international agreement established by The United Nations’Framework Convention on Climate Change. The agreement sets binding aims to members to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol recognises that developed countries are responsible for the high levels of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere as a result of 150 years of industrial action.
In 2007, Woolworths developed a sustainability strategy, “Doing the Right Thing”. In the strategy, targets and commitments have been set to reduce the impacts of carbon emissions from facilities (stores, distribution centres and offices), transport, packaging and sourcing products. Targets includes:
1. 40% reduction in carbon emissions on project growth levels by 2015: in 2010, Woolworths reduced emissions by 13% (500 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide)
2. 25% Minimum reduction in carbon emissions per square meter for all new stores compared to existing stores: in 2010, 51 green stores opened with an average reduction in carbon emission per square metre of 25.08%
3. 25% Reduction in carbon emissions per carton delivered by Woolworths-owned
trucks by 2012
4. At Least 200 million litres of water to be saved each year
5. Zero food waste in the general waste stream by 2015 where composting facilities are available
6. 3.4 million re-useable crates to replace single-use waxed boxes
Woolworths continually improves animal welfare standards in their supply chain in response
to customer expectations. All suppliers are required to participate in the Woolworths Quality Assurance (WQA) program, meet standards and comply with audits. Welfare of animals applies to all
practices including farm, transport, saleyard and processing. The criteria covers poultry meat, eggs, pork, sheep and beef. Free range pork is available in 513 (61%) of supermarkets. Free range eggs have been promoted in Woolworths with their Select brand only free ranged.
In 2010, Woolworths opened 26 new retail stores (green stores) that are environmentally sustainable. The green stores include refrigeration plants that use low global warming potential refrigerants. The new stores design is subjected to many changes as Woolworths trials new technologies. For example, the use of LED lighting in stores has increased and motion sensors have been installed on the lighting for the upright freezers. Today there are 51 green stores in Australia.
Palm Oil is a commonly used ingredient in food items which is produced by a high yield crop that has led to deforestation in South East Asia, West Africa and South American areas. In March 2010, Woolworths adopted Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified palm oil for private-label products and labelling of private-label products with palm oil. Woolworths is the first Australian retail member of the RSPO.
There are other sustainable practices adopted by Woolworths and applied to supermarkets to reduce energy use, water use and waste production. This includes air conditioning in supermarkets which run on an economy cycle where fresh air from outside is used. This cycle reduces the use of energy and saves money. All preparation sinks, cleaner sinks and staff kitchen sinks are fitted with low flow taps to improve water efficiency. Energy use is also minimised by numerous refrigeration techniques. Sensor lights are installed into upright freezer cases and fridges. The LED light is automatically turned on when movement is nearby. During quiet trading times and at night, the lights are always off and saving electricity. Fridges and freezers also include high efficiency fans, low heat glass door freezers, heat reclaim system and pre-coolers on condensers which improves energy efficiency and reduction in green house gas emissions. In new stores around Australia, conventional vinyl flooring has been replaced with a polish concrete floor which contains 20% recycled material.
Woolworths provides plastic bag recycling bins at the front of all stores which is recycled to make other products rather than sent to landfill. Supermarket merchandise is received packed in cardboard and this is compacted and recycled. Each year, Woolworths has recycled 150 000 tonnes of cardboard and 5000 tonnes of recyclable plastic. Another prime initiative conducted by Woolworths
was the introduction of green re-useable shopping bags in 2003 as an alternative to plastic bags. Other types of recycling include animal fat and bones collected during meat processes and used for the production of render, bio-diesel and fertilisers. It is also offered to farmers and local zoos to be used as animal feed or fertilisers. In every supermarket, a Eco Ambassador is selected to provide training to employees and support of sustainable issues. To minimise water waste, in-store spills are cleaned with dry absorbent fibre rather than water.
Woolworths has developed many initiatives and joined a range of programs that promote and aim to have minimal impact of the environment. Woolworths’ retail businesses are signatories to the Kyoto Protocol which is an international agreement established by The United Nations’Framework Convention on Climate Change. The agreement sets binding aims to members to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol recognises that developed countries are responsible for the high levels of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere as a result of 150 years of industrial action.
In 2007, Woolworths developed a sustainability strategy, “Doing the Right Thing”. In the strategy, targets and commitments have been set to reduce the impacts of carbon emissions from facilities (stores, distribution centres and offices), transport, packaging and sourcing products. Targets includes:
1. 40% reduction in carbon emissions on project growth levels by 2015: in 2010, Woolworths reduced emissions by 13% (500 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide)
2. 25% Minimum reduction in carbon emissions per square meter for all new stores compared to existing stores: in 2010, 51 green stores opened with an average reduction in carbon emission per square metre of 25.08%
3. 25% Reduction in carbon emissions per carton delivered by Woolworths-owned
trucks by 2012
4. At Least 200 million litres of water to be saved each year
5. Zero food waste in the general waste stream by 2015 where composting facilities are available
6. 3.4 million re-useable crates to replace single-use waxed boxes
Woolworths continually improves animal welfare standards in their supply chain in response
to customer expectations. All suppliers are required to participate in the Woolworths Quality Assurance (WQA) program, meet standards and comply with audits. Welfare of animals applies to all
practices including farm, transport, saleyard and processing. The criteria covers poultry meat, eggs, pork, sheep and beef. Free range pork is available in 513 (61%) of supermarkets. Free range eggs have been promoted in Woolworths with their Select brand only free ranged.
In 2010, Woolworths opened 26 new retail stores (green stores) that are environmentally sustainable. The green stores include refrigeration plants that use low global warming potential refrigerants. The new stores design is subjected to many changes as Woolworths trials new technologies. For example, the use of LED lighting in stores has increased and motion sensors have been installed on the lighting for the upright freezers. Today there are 51 green stores in Australia.
Palm Oil is a commonly used ingredient in food items which is produced by a high yield crop that has led to deforestation in South East Asia, West Africa and South American areas. In March 2010, Woolworths adopted Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified palm oil for private-label products and labelling of private-label products with palm oil. Woolworths is the first Australian retail member of the RSPO.
There are other sustainable practices adopted by Woolworths and applied to supermarkets to reduce energy use, water use and waste production. This includes air conditioning in supermarkets which run on an economy cycle where fresh air from outside is used. This cycle reduces the use of energy and saves money. All preparation sinks, cleaner sinks and staff kitchen sinks are fitted with low flow taps to improve water efficiency. Energy use is also minimised by numerous refrigeration techniques. Sensor lights are installed into upright freezer cases and fridges. The LED light is automatically turned on when movement is nearby. During quiet trading times and at night, the lights are always off and saving electricity. Fridges and freezers also include high efficiency fans, low heat glass door freezers, heat reclaim system and pre-coolers on condensers which improves energy efficiency and reduction in green house gas emissions. In new stores around Australia, conventional vinyl flooring has been replaced with a polish concrete floor which contains 20% recycled material.
Woolworths provides plastic bag recycling bins at the front of all stores which is recycled to make other products rather than sent to landfill. Supermarket merchandise is received packed in cardboard and this is compacted and recycled. Each year, Woolworths has recycled 150 000 tonnes of cardboard and 5000 tonnes of recyclable plastic. Another prime initiative conducted by Woolworths
was the introduction of green re-useable shopping bags in 2003 as an alternative to plastic bags. Other types of recycling include animal fat and bones collected during meat processes and used for the production of render, bio-diesel and fertilisers. It is also offered to farmers and local zoos to be used as animal feed or fertilisers. In every supermarket, a Eco Ambassador is selected to provide training to employees and support of sustainable issues. To minimise water waste, in-store spills are cleaned with dry absorbent fibre rather than water.