Waitrose has announced that it is set to launch its greenest-ever store, which incorporates a number of 'pioneering new features' to benefit the environment and reduce carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by around 80 per cent.
The 25,000ft2 store, located near its head office in Bracknell, southern England, will showcase a number of biodiversity features, which the retailer said build on its efforts to conserve and enhance the natural environment.
According to Waitrose, the site will feature a green roof covered with grass, a living wall to promote wildlife movement, hedges instead of fences, nest boxes and even a 'bug hotel' in the car park to provide a safe haven for hibernating insects.
Waitrose Bracknell will also be one only two shops to have its own on-site energy centre which will reduce CO2e emissions by almost 800 tonnes each year.
'Throughout the design and build of our Bracknell shop our three objectives have been community, emissions reduction and biodiversity,' said Nigel Keen, director of development at Waitrose. 'As a food retailer, boosting Britain’s biodiversity is important to us; given the vital role that wildlife plays in the pollination of crops.
'Many of the features incorporated into the shop and car park make good business sense as they conserve the environment and help us save money,' he added. 'We're keen to roll out these new features more widely, particularly the on-site energy centres which offer massive CO2e savings and will reduce the amount we spend on energy in the long-run. We are confident that our Bracknell shop will achieve the BREEAM Outstanding rating - something which we’ll be very proud of it will be one of the first retail buildings in the world to achieve this accolade.'
For a full list of features at the new store, visit the Waitrose website
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