Sustainability
Woolworths is continuously looking for innovative solutions to reduce our environmental impact.
Learn more about what Woolworths is doing to re-use, reduce and recycle.
- Sustainable Supermarkets
- Air Conditioning
- Water Use
- Lighting
- Refrigeration
- Material Use
- Plastic and Cardboard Recycling
- Other types of recycling
- Woolworths Eco Ambassadors
- Spill kits
- Plastic bag alternatives
- Mobile phone recycling
- Recycling at home
Sustainable Supermarkets
Reducing the environmental impact of our supermarkets is a key focus at Woolworths. And there are many initiatives underway to reduce energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions, reduce water use and reduce waste.
The following features are incorporated in the design of new and refurbished Woolworths Supermarkets. These improvements will continue to roll out to all Woolworths Supermarkets over time.
Air Conditioning
Woolworths Supermarket air conditioning runs on an economy cycle and, where possible, fresh outside air is used in preference to air conditioning.
Water Use
All preparation sinks, cleaners sinks and staff kitchen sinks are fitted with low flow taps. And the latest specifications are used to improve the water efficiency of the toilets.
Lighting
Energy use is minimised by the use of T5 fluorescent technology and LED’s (light emitting diodes). These lights use less energy than conventional lighting and have a much longer life which significantly reduces maintenance costs.
Refrigeration
Energy use is minimised thanks to a number of refrigeration initiatives. Nightblinds are integrated into the design of the upright refrigeration cases. The nightblinds are closed when the store is not trading. A new innovation in Woolworths refrigeration is sensor lights in upright freezer cases. The LED light is automatically turned on only when someone passes by. It means that during quiet times and at night the lights are always off, saving a lot of electricity. A heat reclaim system and pre-coolers on the condensers, results in improved energy efficiency and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Other innovative features of the refrigeration cases are the high efficiency fans and low-heat glass door freezers as well LED lighting in the doors saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Material Use
In most new stores conventional vinyl flooring has been replaced with a polished concrete floor. This floor contains 20% recycled material and the overall environmental impact of polished concrete is less than vinyl flooring.
Plastic and Cardboard Recycling
Woolworths provides plastic bag recycling bins at the front of all stores. The plastic is recycled to make other products - rather than being sent to landfill.
When supermarket merchandise is received packaged in cardboard, it is compacted and recycled. Woolworths Supermarkets and distribution centres recycle more then 150,000 tonnes of cardboard and paper, and more then 5,000 tonnes of recyclable plastic each year.
Other types of recycling
Animal fat and bones are collected during the meat processing and used for the production of render, bio-diesel and fertilisers depending on the suitability of the material. Green waste is offered to farmers and local zoos to be used as animal feed or fertiliser.
Woolworths Eco Ambassadors
The Woolworths Eco Ambassador program provides employees with training and support on sustainability issues, helping them champion improvements in their workplace, homes and communities. Woolworths has at least one Eco Ambassador at every supermarket.
Spill Kits
To minimise water wastage, we clean all in-store spills with a dry absorbent fibre (which is like sand) rather than using water. This not only saves precious water resources - but also helps us divert waste away from our waterways.
Plastic Bag Alternatives
In October 2003, as part of an agreement with State and Federal Governments to comply with the Australian Retailers' Code of Practice, Woolworths set a target to help our shoppers reduce plastic bag usage. To achieve this:
- Woolworths offers a range range of re-useable shopping bags.
- Provided training for over 30,000 of service staff on how to "Fill the Bag not the Environment".
Woolworths no longer provides plastic checkout bags for purchases of three items or less. However if you do require a plastic checkout bag, please ask and we will be more that happy to give you one.
You can also help by bringing back your alternative bag when you do you your shopping.
Mobile Phone Recycling
It's easy to recycle your old mobile phone, charger and batteries. Visit www.mobilemuster.com.au and download a free Reply Paid Address Label. You can then post your old mobile phone, charger and batteries at no charge to MobileMuster for recycling.
MobileMuster recovers over 90% of the plastics and metals in mobile phones so that they can be used in new products like plastic fence posts, stainless steel and jewellery.
Recycling at home
An effective way to recycle at home is to use the kerbside schemes which are generally managed by the local council or municipality. Plant Ark provides a ‘recycling near you’ web site which provides the most up to date advice on recycling and can be accessed using the following link: http://www.recyclingnearyou.com.au/
For further detail on Woolworths sustainability initiatives see our Corporate Responsibility Report.
