Saturday September 7 2024
Swindon & Wiltshire News
The Brunel shopping centre in Swindon has become one of only a few shopping centres in the UK to gain silver status in the Green Achiever scheme.
The scheme has been designed to help businesses boost their green credentials and reduce environmental impact.
The Brunel team – who gained their silver award at the first attempt – have implemented a number of waste segregation and energy reduction initiatives in partnership with the centre’s tenants.
Two full-time staff manage the waste service area, which includes baling machines, segregating plastic bottles by colour and separating spent fluorescent lighting and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
Service corridors are now lit by single fluorescent lights and operated on timer switches and new signage at the centre is now all LED. Push taps in public toilets and waterless urinals will soon be complemented by a new waste-to-water system.
Steve Fawke, general manager at the Brunel, said: “I’m delighted The Brunel has achieved Silver Status in the Green Achiever Scheme. Our ultimate aim is to get Gold Status and we have a number of plans we will be putting in to action over the coming months.“
Deborah Cairns, operations manager at E4environment, who has specific responsibility for the Green Achiever scheme, said: “The public is becoming increasingly vocal about what they expect from retailers and manufacturers, for example, less packaging and more recyclable products, as well as services and processes that are environmentally friendly.
“Over 40 businesses a month now register with Green Achiever from a range of sectors and varying sizes including retail, IT, manufacturing and professional services, sole traders, SMEs and large corporations.
“The staff and management at The Brunel Centre are demonstrating a conviction to enhancing their green status that not only sets a standard for others to follow but will save the organisation money too.”
