Making a difference at all levels

We’re always searching for new ways to reduce emissions, conserve resources and reduce expenditure on energy. This will not only lower our carbon footprint, but also reduce the energy costs of our operations. Some of the ways we are currently addressing these issues include:

• testing alternative fuel vehicles as new technologies become available
• using five per cent bio-diesel in our diesel-powered vehicles
• training drivers to maximise fuel efficiency and reduce emissions
• making more efficient use of trailer utilisation, backhaul and scheduling developments in our fleets
• reducing business travel through the increased use of video, web and teleconferencing.

These initiatives are already having a positive impact. For example, we now operate a strategic backhaul system as part of our logistics operation. This means that when goods from loaded vehicles are delivered to our stores, the empty vehicles are used to collect goods from suppliers before returning to the depot.
Thus vehicle capacity is maximised at all times, contributing to a positive environmental impact.

Trialling of bio-diesel in vehicles at our Thamesmead distribution centre near London has been a huge success. We are now rolling out a company-wide sustainable fuel target of 10 per cent over the next five years.

In our sustainability report 2006 we set the target of recycling 64 per cent of our waste. By 2007 the actual recycling rate for our owned facilities was 70.4 per cent.