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Shoppers encouraged to trust own judgment as chain removes dates from packaged fruit and vegetables

Waitrose is removing best-before dates from nearly 500 fresh food products in an effort to reduce food waste.

From September, the staff-owned supermarket chain will scrap the dates on packaged fruit and vegetables, including lettuce, cucumber and peppers, to encourage consumers to use their own judgment about when food has gone off.

The move is expected to cut food waste by preventing people from throwing away products that are still edible, the retailer says.

The government-backed Waste Resources Action Programme (Wrap) estimates that removing dates on fresh fruit and veg could save the equivalent of 7m shopping baskets of food from the bin in the UK.

Potatoes are the most wasted food in the UK, followed by bread and milk, according to Wrap.

Best-before dates are intended to indicate food quality rather than safety. In contrast, use-by dates are given for safety and could result in food poisoning if ignored.

Waitrose is the latest to make the move as supermarkets change tactics to reduce food waste for environmental reasons and to reduce costs for shoppers and stores.

Earlier this month, Marks & Spencer axed best-before dates on more than 300 fruit and vegetable products after a successful trial.

Tesco led the way for the high street supermarkets when it got rid of best-before dates on more than 100 fresh food products in 2018.

In January, Morrisons announced plans to remove use-by dates on milk and encourage consumers to use a “sniff test” instead to determine if it is OK to consume.

Other efforts to reduce waste, and the carbon footprint of selling food, include the UK’s biggest doorstep milk delivery service, Milk & More, tweaking its systems so that it uses 500,000 fewer bottles a year.

The company is sourcing more durable bottles and reducing friction between them on its filling lines so that each one can be used 15% more, after a steep rise in glass prices.

Marija Rompani, director of sustainability and ethics at the John LewisPartnership, which owns Waitrose, said: “UK households throw away 4.5m tonnes of edible food every year, meaning that all the energy and resources used in food production is wasted.

“By removing best-before dates from our products, we want our customers to use their own judgment to decide whether a product is good to eat or not, which in turn will increase its chances of being eaten and not becoming waste.

“By using up existing fresh food in our homes, we can also save on our weekly household food shop, which is becoming an increasingly pressing concern for many.”

Experts at Wrap saybest-before dates on fruit and vegetables are not needed, and also contribute to the climate crisis.

Catherine David, director of collaboration and change at Wrap said: “Best-before dates on fruit and veg are unnecessary and create food waste because they get in the way of people using their judgment when food is still good to eat.

“We are absolutely delighted by this move from Waitrose which will help stop good food ending up in the bin.”

Source: The Guardian

World-leading technology brand, Lenovo is collaborating with iconic fashion designer and conscious luxury pioneer Stella McCartney, and world-renowned art and design college Central Saint Martins University of the Arts London, to help inspire and empower the next generation of designers on sustainable fashion design.

As a powerhouse innovator in all things design-led, Stella will inspire 38 students from the Central Saint Martins MA Design course to channel their desire to change the world for the better and apply their creativity in an eight-week live brief. They will each be tasked to explore the relationship between fashion and technology and create a sustainable solution that pushes the boundaries of where they intersect.

Following the design challenge, one winning student, as chosen by Stella, will be awarded a three-month internship at Stella McCartney in a department of their choice.

The collaboration puts the power for change in the hands of tomorrow’s visionaries at Central Saint Martins and empowers them to make a real difference. To help the students unlock their creativity, Lenovo is providing cutting-edge Yoga PCs to each student who takes part.

Stella McCartney commented, “At my fashion house, creativity and technology have always gone hand-in-hand. That’s why I am so excited to partner with Lenovo on this incredible project – coming together today so we can empower the creative visionaries of tomorrow at my alma mater, Central Saint Martins. As a progressive luxury brand, Stella McCartney has always looked to the future, and I know that Lenovo is as keen about protecting the planet as I am. Together we are excited to be able to support the next generation of talent in developing something entirely new in sustainable fashion, and I cannot wait to see the results!”

Simon Fraser, Course Director MA Design, Central Saint Martins commented, “Key to the work we do as a course is an understanding that the sustainability and ethicality of production is an urgent challenge to each of our disciplines, ceramics, furniture and jewellery. We are delighted to have the opportunity to test the principles and practices of MA Design with our inspirational alumna Stella McCartney and the forward-thinking team at Lenovo. The students and the staff have embraced this challenge.”

Brian Leonard, Vice President of Design Innovation, Lenovo commented, “At Lenovo, we are always striving to create innovative and smarter solutions to build a more sustainable future, which is why collaborating with Stella McCartney and Central Saint Martins felt so right. It’s bringing together leaders of three different sectors – fashion, design and technology – all of which all share the same values of delivering meaningful change. Through this partnership we are setting the stage for the future generation of those looking to change the world and we’re very excited to see what is created.”

Sustainability underpins everything at Lenovo, from new products to its global supply chain. The company has recently outlined its vision to become net-zero by 2050. And by FY 2025/26, 100 percent of Lenovo PCs will contain post-consumer recycled materials and 90 percent of plastic packaging will be made from recycled materials. Lenovo also aims to enable the recycle and reuse of 363 million kilograms of end-of-life products and 136 million kilograms of post-consumer recycled content plastics will be used across the product portfolio.

The students taking part in the brief will each receive the latest Yoga convertible device packed with innovative features to help power their creativity. From streaming, to browsing, to photo and video editing and more, users can experience the real-world performance needed for their biggest breakthroughs on one of Lenovo’s thin, light, and fast convertible laptops.

Lenovo also unveiled yesterday the next generation of its premium, ultra-slim Windows 11 Yoga laptops, including the Yoga Slim 7i Pro X enabling creation anywhere, anytime. This laptop was created with sustainability in mind; it’s delivered at your doorstep within a recycled cushion and FSC approved paper box, its battery pack is made from 25% recycled content, whilst its 100W adapter is made from 30% recycled content. The Slim 7i Pro X is also EPEAT Silver certified and offers a CO2 Offset service, so consumers will be able to enjoy Lenovo’s newest technology, whilst also helping to achieve their sustainability goals.

Source: Lenovo

THE OVO Hydro, a Scottish Event Campus (SEC) venue, has today been announced as the first arena in the world to achieve A Greener Arena (AGA) certification for its commitment to sustainability. AGA takes a holistic approach to sustainability, not only looking at emissions and environmental impacts but also people, inclusion and wellbeing.    

The award was officially presented to the OVO Hydro at today’s Green Events and Innovations Conference, part of the wider International Live Music Conference (ILMC) being held in London.      

AGA is awarded by A Greener Festival (AGF), a not-for-profit company committed to helping events, festivals and venues around the world including Glastonbury, Primavera Sound and Roskilde Festival, to reduce their environmental impact.  AGF are pioneers in the event sustainability sector providing independent certification, training and expertise in helping facilitate best practice for over 15 years.

Assessors highlighted the OVO Hydro’s commitment to reducing emissions, enhancing local biodiversity, and being an instrument of positive change on the arena tour circuit. They praised the venue’s use of 100% renewable electricity, elimination of single use plastic cups at live events saving 2m cups per year, campus wide sustainable food strategy and expansion plans for electric vehicle charging points. The “outstanding” programme for inclusion, health and wellbeing for staff through the dedicated people department was also highlighted.

Title partner OVO Energy supported the venue’s goal to achieve ‘Greener Arena Certification’ through funding of specific carbon-reduction and environmental initiatives. As part of the assessment, AGF will also share actionable recommendations with the OVO Hydro team that are designed to further evolve the venue’s ongoing certification assessments in years to come.

Debbie McWilliams, Director of Live Entertainment at SEC, said: “More than ever we are focused on the impact our business has on the planet and are proud to be awarded A Greener Arena certification. Receiving such an accolade is further proof of our commitment to delivering a greener future for our events. Being the first arena in the world to accomplish this is a huge achievement and we hope this paves the way for others to follow. It is a significant milestone on our journey towards net zero by 2030, and a real credit to the team who work so passionately on implementing our sustainability strategy.”

James Watts, Head of PR & Sponsorships, OVO Energy said: “We’re proud to work with partners who support our commitment to drive progress to zero carbon living. By becoming the world’s first arena to achieve the ‘A Greener Arena’ certification the OVO Hydro is sending a clear signal to the industry that lower-impact live events are possible.  We will continue to support the OVO Hydro to further reduce its carbon footprint, so fans and artists alike can perform in a venue that’s supporting our collective goal; saving the planet.”    

As the first arena in the world to achieve the certification, the team at AGF also view today’s announcement as a milestone and catalyst for ongoing industry-wide progress and change.    

Claire O’Neill, Co-Founder of AGF said: “A Greener Festival was launched in 2007 and since then we’ve assessed over 1000 events, tours and venues across 5 continents, providing the first and only sustainable event certification including on site assessment of practical implementation and independent verification across 11 categories of event analysis, and the first dedicated arena certification. We’re delighted for the team at the OVO Hydro, and we hope that this leads the way for more arenas to get involved in the process.”

The milestone supports The SEC’s overall sustainability ambitions and adds to the significant moves it has already made towards reducing its carbon footprint and achieving net zero by 2030. Alongside 100% renewable electricity and elimination of single use plastic cups at live events, the campus has implemented a sustainable food strategy where a minimum of 80% of all ingredients are sourced in Scotland as well as reducing food waste to below 1%. The strategy combines working with staff, organisers, partners and visitors to support the net zero journey.

Source: Scottish Business News

Burger King has announced that it will be piloting a new range of reusable and returnable packaging for burgers, sides, and drinks across selected restaurants with the global re-use platform, Loop.

The new range will include a reusable clamshell burger container and cup. Burger King says it will be the first fast-food restaurant in the UK to pilot the reusable clamshell containers for burgers from Loop. 

According to Burger King, customers can choose to purchase 10 of its products in Loop reusable packaging. This includes Whopper and Crispy Chicken burgers, with the option to make it a medium meal combo with a reusable cup for soft drinks. The reusable packaging is also available with some six- and nine-piece sides, like Chilli Cheese Bites, Onion Rings, Chicken Fries, and Chicken Nuggets.

To take part in the scheme, Burger King customers will have the option to pay a £1 deposit for a reusable cup or container instead of using single-use packaging. Customers can then return the reusable packaging by scanning its barcode on the Loop app and placing it in a Loop bin, which will be outside select Burger King restaurants where the trials are taking place.

The £1 deposit will be refunded upon return of the cups or containers, Burger King adds, with all reusable packaging then being professionally cleaned using Loop’s cleaning system. Each item will apparently be sanitised before it returns to circulation in-store.

The Loop reusable packaging will be trialled at four Burger King restaurants in Ipswich and one in Newmarket from the 26th of April 2022 until the 5th of September 2022. If the trial is successful, Burger King says it will potentially explore rolling out the packaging nationwide on a permanent basis.

Burger King says the reusable packaging is part of its plans to reduce carbon emissions, with a target of a 41% reduction in value chain emissions per restaurant by 2030. The restaurant chain has also pledged to 0% single-use plastic by 2025.

Nicola Pierce, director of commercial planning and ESG at Burger King UK, comments: “We’re delighted to unveil a trial range of re-usable and returnable packaging for our restaurants.

“The launch of the new packaging from Burger King UK will include the first-ever reusable and returnable ‘clamshell’ for burgers and sides in the UK.

“We’re excited to see how the trial performs over the next five months and help us reach our goal of eliminating single-use plastic within our restaurants by 2025.”

Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle and Loop, adds: “The partnership between Loop and Burger King UK enables customers in selected UK restaurants a simple and convenient way to trial re-usable packaging when ordering their favourite burgers, sides and drinks.

“Consumer demand for more sustainable options is at an all-time high and the customer response to this exciting trial will be used to inform future plans for a long-term reusable and returnable packaging scheme.”

Last year, McDonald’s partnered with Loop to pilot a returnable coffee cup scheme in six of its UK stores, which were also made available to customers for a £1 deposit refunded upon the return of the cups for cleaning and reuse. 

Source: Packaging Europe

Re is a reuse model developed by Beauty Kitchen, a sustainability-orientated beauty brand founded by Jo-Anne and Stuart Chidley. The Re model focuses on replacing single-use plastic packaging for FMCG by offering brands and consumers universal reuse options that can be returned or refilled at stations in retail stores across the UK. Last month, Re was awarded Innovate UK funding as part of the Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge.

Jo-Anna Chidley, co-founder of Beauty Kitchen and Re, and Doug Morwood, managing director at Re, share how the scheme brings together key players from across the FMCG value chain in beginning to adopt consumer-facing circular economy frameworks.

Smart and sustainable packaging – as a service

Re conceptualises cost-effective packaging as a service with the aim of drawing both brands and consumers away from single-use plastic packaging for FMCG, and instead encouraging them to buy into the reuse model. For consumers, this means offering convenience and accessibility. For brands, Re is “dedicated to proving […] that refillable product models can be successful, scalable, and profitable”.

According to Morwood, “we must move beyond the linear system that results in so much waste, both in terms of materials and energy. To do this, we have to offer a compelling alternative to the current linear system that damages our environment so much. And that’s exactly what we’re doing with Re.”

One of the key components of the Re scheme is the Re Smart Bottles. “Every ReBottle is unique,” explains Morwood, referring to the network of smart technology embedded in each. Made from steel, glass, or next-generation washable plastics, Re Bottles feature a code on the base that can be scanned to provide lifecycle information – for example, when the bottle was last refiled and how many times it has been re-used – and for consumers to earn Rewards through their Re account.

Consumers can purchase Re Bottles pre-filled with their product of choice, for an additional fee of £2. This fee, however, works like a deposit return scheme: when the empty bottle is returned, the consumer receives a £2 coupon for their next Re Bottle purchase.

As an example, this would mean that when purchasing a shampoo with a recommended retail price of £5 in a Re Bottle, the consumer would pay £7 in total. When the consumer returns the Re Bottle, they can buy another product and the additional cost of the bottle purchase will be covered by the £2 coupon from the first sale and return. For future purchases, therefore, the bottle fee is repeatedly covered so long as the Re Bottle is returned, meaning consumers only pay for the contents of the bottle after the initial buy-in.

“We plant a certified tree for you when you Return or Refill for the first time, every 5th time and when you first join,” Chidley adds. “From the very first use you are saving plastic and when you refill or return you are already reducing your carbon emissions compared to an equivalent single-use plastic bottle.”

Re Smart Bottles (including the cap or pump) can be returned, by consumers, at Return Stations, with plans for these to be widely available in retail stores, shopping centres, universities, train stations, and major office complexes. At a Return Station, the consumer is asked to scan the unique QR code on the base of the Re Bottle, place it in the door of the machine, and then collect either a digital or printed coupon to cover their next purchase.

Re also offers Refill Stations, which the company explains are often next to Return Stations in stores. At Refill Stations, the Re Bottle can be refilled with the consumer’s product of choice; the machine is able to dispense any liquid into the bottles. These stations have interactive touchscreens and, at both Return and Refill Stations, consumers receive points for taking the Re Bottles back.

“The Refill Stations have been developed and manufactured in the UK and can be remanufactured to incorporate updated technology, eliminating future waste,” says Chidley. The manufacturing process is based on an exclusive agreement between Re and manufacturing technology provider RBC Group.

For Re Bottles at the end of their lifecycle, these can be sent back to Re either via a Return Station or Royal Mail Returns. The company will either reuse the bottle if possible or recycle it if not, such as in the case of damage. The Re Bottles can also be placed in household recycling.

The Re Bottles are suitable for a range of packaging applications, including laundry, home care, personal care, food, and beverages.

A collaborative effort

“Together with large and small retailers, as well as large and small brands, we can reduce plastic waste on a grand scale, and provide an unbeatable infrastructure for a circular economy through unprecedented business collaboration,” Morwood tells us. “Bringing businesses together to tackle the climate and waste crises is the only way we can solve the problem; collaboration is crucial.”

Brands working with Re include Beauty Kitchen itself, alongside Elemis, Unilever (covering its Persil, Radox, Simple, and Alberto Balsam brands), PZ Cussons (for its brands Original Source and Carex) and NAF! Salon. As for retailers, it has worked with ASDA, Co-op, M&S, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s.

Unilever was the second company to work with Re, launching three in-store Refill Stations at ASDA’s Sustainability Store in Middleton, Leeds, in 2020. Since then, the trial has been extended across the UK to include further ASDA supermarkets, as well as Tesco and Co-op stores. Refill Stations will be available to customers at ASDA shops in Middleton and Milton Keynes, and to Co-op customers in Marsh, while a range of other locations will offer the pre-filled bottles and Return Stations.

So far, in trials across 19 supermarkets, Re has reportedly achieved an 80% return/refill rate. As part of the Re scheme, the company claims to have saved over 4 million single-use bottles from landfill to date.

Alongside this, the consumer response appears to be positive. In research conducted alongside the pilot, 64% of consumers said they would switch retailer to use a refill station and 94% indicated they would shop more at a retailer that offered refill stations. As for the useability of the stations, 95% of consumers rated the Refill Station experience as “Good” or “Very Good”, while 96% agreed they would repurchase through the refill scheme.

Chidley says, “we are thrilled to see the highly successful results from the ongoing trials for Re; this is exactly what we were hoping for as so many of our efforts have been focused on over the past couple of years.

“All three of the key elements of the circular economy are buying into it. The consumers love it, the brands who use the reusable containers are very pleased, and the big retailers are all for it. This is how you make change and reduce waste.

“This is the future; a collaborative, circular economy that works for all parties. We are sharing this technology to co-operate with other brands, retailers, and corporations to accelerate an inclusive, scalable, and repeatable circular packaging solution.”

Re was also recently awarded £3 million of grant funding as part of the Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge. According to Chidley: “This funding is exactly what Re needs to help refine and share the model with more brands, retailers and consumers. We are very pleased with the UKRI’s decision and look forward to seeing the impact of this grant funding right away.”

The funding coincides with Re’s partnership with City to Sea, which offers a Refill app that shows consumers where to find Refill Stations.

What’s next?

Re is actively looking for more partners. To companies looking to engage with a reuse/refill system, Chidley appeals: “Join us! This is an initiative for all brands in the cosmetics, beauty, and personal care industries. We will help you enter this ecosystem which will deliver real change that will benefit our environment.”

As for the data collected from the Re trials and the future scaling of the scheme, Morwood explains: “The Re team and I will be taking a data-led approach to this new system. We can harness data on a never-before-seen scale for these industries.

“Through this approach, we can drastically increase appetite from policy makers, funding bodies, consumers, brands across all industries, and retailers to rethink our linear systems and move towards circular models.

“Following this method, our goal is to smash the target of preventing 100 million bottles ending up in landfill over the next three years; with enough retailers and brands on board, we can empower consumers to help save far more than that, simply by making the whole process easy, convenient, and logical.”

Source: Packaging Europe

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has advised the government to clarify the law on providing environmental information to consumers – including having standard definitions for terms like ‘carbon neutral’ which it says will help make it easier for shoppers to make choices around sustainability.

Following a public consultation, the CMA has recommended a number of actions for the government to consider, including changes to consumer law which make it easier for shoppers to make sustainable choices. This could be achieved by, for example, introducing legislative definitions for potentially misleading terms like “recyclable” and “carbon neutral.”

Standard definitions of commonly used terminology would help shoppers to compare similar products, says the CMA and it would also complement the CMA’s work on the Green Claims Code which helps businesses accurately communicate their green credentials to shoppers in an honest and transparent way.

The recommendations follow a request from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to the CMA in July 2021 which asked for advice on how competition and consumer law frameworks could be enhanced to better support net-zero and sustainability goals, including preparing for climate change.

In May last year, the UK competition watchdog set out its views on the types of misleading environmental claims made about products – including clothing – that could break the law, and is seeking views on draft guidance for businesses about ‘green’ claims.

Then in January this year, the body started its review of environmental claims in the UK fashion retail sector, investigating how products and services claiming to be ‘eco-friendly’ are being marketed, and whether consumers could be being misled.

The CMA’s review will examine environmental claims across the fashion retail sector in the UK to determine whether or not businesses are complying with consumer protection law. Where the CMA identifies businesses that it thinks are ‘greenwashing’, it said it will take “appropriate action”.

At this stage, the CMA says it has not seen sufficient evidence that competition law prevents firms from acting sustainably. For example, it is already possible for companies to work together to lessen the environmental impact of their sector, by pooling resources or expertise, without breaching competition rules.

However, the CMA has found that more clarity about what is, and is not, legal would help firms work towards sustainability goals without worrying that they are breaking the law in the process.

CMA launches sustainability taskforce

To build on its advice, and further its wider objective of supporting the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy, the CMA has launched a Sustainability Taskforce within the CMA. It will lead the CMA’s work in this area and will bring together colleagues from across the CMA, while also drawing on outside expertise. The Taskforce will develop formal guidance, lead discussions with government, industry and partner organisations and continually review the case for legislative change, particularly in light of market developments.

Sarah Cardell, General Counsel at the CMA, said: “We want it to be as easy as possible for businesses and, ultimately, shoppers to make choices which are better for the environment.

“That’s why we plan to shine a light on what businesses can and can’t do under current competition and consumer laws, as well as advising the government on changes that will help people shop more sustainably.

“Our new Taskforce will take a leading role in helping to make sure the UK’s economy not only serves the interests of consumers but also delivers on its environmental responsibilities.”

Source: Hannah Abdulla, Just Style UK

Research carried out by the Home Builders Federation to mark New Homes Week 2022 has revealed the extent to which energy efficiency is now guiding the way Brits are now making home-moving decisions.

Around three in four respondents (73%) to the HBF’s recent survey stated that they are worried about the energy performance of their current home, with around a quarter (24%) saying energy efficiency will be ‘crucial’ to their next home move.

The Home Builders Federation commissioned the results ahead of New Homes Week 2022 to investigate sentiment among the British public towards more sustainable living, following in the wake of the recent energy crisis and growing general awareness of our individual carbon footprints.

Around 2,000 people were surveyed around the country, and the results reveal the full extent to which energy efficiency and environmental factors now guide our choices of where to live.

The results place the UK’s residential developers are the forefront of meeting public demand for more energy-efficient living and show that when it comes to selecting a new home, sustainability is now a firm fixture at the top of our criteria.

‘Eco friendly’ and ‘Having a good Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)’ were rated as the second and third most important factors respectively, behind ‘private outdoor space’.

This survey is published as a new report from HBF shows that buyers of new build homes are saving more than £400 per household on their energy bills, and emitting almost 600,000 tonnes less carbon than if last year’s new build homebuyers has chosen an older property.

The report – ‘Greener, Cleaner, Cheaper’ – published by the Home Builders Federation found that:

And with more lenders beginning to offer green mortgages – such as lower interest rates for buyers of more energy efficient homes – and stricter requirements for landlords renting out domestic properties, home builders are urging lenders to go further, faster to assist homebuyers in making the right environmental choice.

Factoring into mortgage calculations the lower bills paid by new build buyers would enable even further savings to be made by buyers.

A further aspect of HBF’s research revealed the pivotal relationship that the new homes industry can play in driving the UK’s burgeoning electric vehicle industry as 71% of people responded that they would be more persuaded to buy an electric car if their house came with an electric vehicle charging station, which are becoming prevalent on new-build projects throughout the country.

The energy efficiency of homes has become increasingly important in recent years, amid the ongoing crisis surrounding rising energy prices and an enhanced focus on environmental issues.

Builders of new build homes are able to adapt to new technologies, materials and regulations to embed energy efficiency at the point of construction, while owners of existing properties will often find themselves facing disruptive, extensive and costly retrofit works to bring their homes to the same standard.

In the year to September 2021, 84% of new build properties received an A or B EPC rating for energy efficiency, while just 3% of existing properties reached the same standard.

In contrast, 58% of existing dwellings had an efficiency rating of D-G.

The improved energy efficiency standards have a significant impact on household carbon emissions.

The report finds that new build homes in this sample accounted for 15.4% of EPCs, 16.4% of the floorspace, but just 6.4% of the total annual CO2 emissions.

*The report finds that new build properties offer lower running costs for all household utilities.

On average, new build purchasers save an annual £395 on heating bills, £28 on hot water and £12 on lighting.

In total, the yearly household bill for owners of older properties in this dataset was £890, almost twice as much as the annual bill for a new homeowner, which was £455.

The survey results place the UK’s residential developers at the forefront of meeting public demand for more energy-efficient living, with new homes generating only around one-third of the carbon produced by the average older property each year.

Indeed, further research by the HBF has found that, on average, owners of new houses and flats save £435 on household bills per property each year, which totalled £112 million in savings in the year to September 2021.

For buyers of new homes the savings are even greater, up to £555 annually or £46 per month which is equivalent to the average Premier League season ticket or a coffee from Pret every working day of the year. When it comes to how Brits are becoming more sustainable at home it would appear food is very much on our minds. When asked what sustainable choices people undertake in their day-to-day lives, respondents’ top three choices were how they throw things away (53%), their food shop (44%) and what they choose to eat (38%).

Furthermore, the survey indicates that sustainability now forms a significant part of our social norms and expected behaviours. When asked what the most socially unacceptable behaviours are when it comes to sustainability, 63% said not recycling was the worst, and a further 46% said driving to destinations where walking was possible.

Fast fashion (38%) and driving an SUV when you don’t necessarily need it (36%) also topped the list.

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation comments:

“‘Location, location, location’ has been the driving mantra of the UK home-movers for as long as we’ve known, but these results suggest we’re now entering the era of ‘location, location, insulation’, with energy efficiency becoming an ever more crucial factor in how we select our next home.

And with energy bills rising it’s never been more important for homebuyers to weigh up these costs as they consider their next move.

This research highlights the crucial role that residential developers play in not only making UK housing stock more sustainable and energy efficient overall, but also meeting the demand of an increasingly eco-savvy public who want to cut down their energy bills and live in more sustainable homes.

As an industry we have made major steps forward year-on-year in making all elements of housebuilding as sustainable as possible, with many developers well on the way to reaching net carbon zero throughout their operations.”

Baseley added:

“Mortgage lenders have a vital role to play in helping homebuyers to make the cost efficient and carbon saving steps that households are increasingly keen to make”

The new homes industry responds to the Home Builders Federation’s research findings:

Ian Heasman, Director of Sustainability at Taylor Wimpey said:

“We announced our environment strategy in March 2021, which outlines our commitments to making our homes and developments more sustainable, and to lessening our impact on the environment.

We know that people want to live more sustainably and to reduce their carbon footprint, and we want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to do just that.

Our homes have many features such as energy saving lighting, zoned heating and water saving taps which make them energy efficient, and we’re encouraging more sustainable transport choices.”

Jon Di-Stefano, Chief Executive of Telford Homes said:

“COP26 has brought into sharp focus the pressing need for the property industry to accelerate their efforts in relation to the climate crisis and we’re delighted to play our part by being ranked as the UK’s most sustainable housebuilder in the Next Generation benchmarking report for the second year running.”

Ben Stone, Head of Sustainability Keepmoat Homes said:

“Building a more sustainable future is at the core of Keepmoat Homes, for the environment, for our customers, and for the future generations.

We are proud to build homes for eco-conscious buyers, and have taken a number of steps to ensure we continually strive to build the best sustainable homes possible.

Recently, we have introduced a number of green initiatives including low carbon concrete blocks, timber frame construction, low temperature asphalt, as well as reusing soil and aggregates.

Reacting to the recent shift in home working, we have also given all customers on new developments a gigabit of broadband, allowing more people to work from home.”

Nicola Barclay, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland said:

“Scotland’s home builders are already well on the path to net zero – with a 75% reduction in carbon emissions from new homes built today compared to 1990 baselines.

There is more to do, of course, which will be challenging, not only for builders in terms of skills, grid capacity and supply chain readiness, but also for consumers in terms of behaviour change as new technologies are introduced, so the recognition of this shift in consumer demand in the survey findings is very welcome.”

Source: Property Notify UK

LONDON, March 14 (Reuters) Investors stepped up pressure on corporate climate lobbying on Monday, launching a new 14-point action plan for companies to stick to or risk having their actions put to a shareholder vote.

The Global Standard on Responsible Climate Lobbying urges companies to commit to responsible climate lobbying, disclose the support given to trade groups lobbying on their behalf and take action if it runs counter to the world’s climate goal.

That goal, to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial norms by mid-century, is moving increasingly out of reach, scientists say, with urgent action needed in the short-term to have any hope of reaching it.

Developed by Swedish pension scheme AP7, BNP Paribas Asset Management and the Church of England Pensions Board, the standard is backed by investor groups leading on climate talks with companies whose members manage a collective $130 trillion.

In a statement, the investors said that lobbying that sought to delay, dilute or block climate action by governments ran counter to their interests and could result in resolutions being filed at the shareholder meetings of firms that failed to act.

“Corporate lobbying can significantly influence public climate policy,” said Clare Richards, Senior Engagement Manager at the Church of England Pensions Board.

“We want the standard to set a high bar for companies, and to encourage a move away from ‘negative lobbying’ towards actively engaging in ‘responsible lobbying’ through supporting policies aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

Sheep fleeces have been used to repair a footpath at a nature reserve in Skye in an attempt to move away from “unsustainable” plastic repair materials.

The wool came from local crofts just six miles away and was packed into the ground and layered with stones. This allows the water underneath to drain away naturally. This technique avoids using large amounts of plastic sheeting which have typically been employed in recent years to keep water from flooding the path.

Why use wool for repairing woodland paths?

The path in question is a popular coastal walking route on the Isle of Skye.

Strathair path, Skye
A photo of the path before the works began. Supplied by John MacRae.

Known as the Kilmarie Path, it is well-trodden by visitors wanting to see the Iron Age fort Dun Ringill. But a wet winter had left deep stretches of boggy mud on the peat soil. “Normally I’d just dig it out with a digger and put in a plastic membrane,” said John MacRae, the local crofter who repaired the path. But John is also an estate worker with conservation charity John Muir Trust, and is always on the lookout for sustainable ways of improving their practices. “I’d seen online that someone had trialled using fleece to fix paths on the Outer Hebrides and I’d heard about it being done in Ireland too,” he said. “But I’ve never seen it in person and as far as I know no one has ever tried it on Skye.” Instead of using plastic, John collected wool that was “free, local and sustainable” from crofters in the immediate area.

Sheep fleeces repairing a path in Skye
Progress being made with gravel being tipped on top of the wool. Supplied by John MacRae.

With so many sheep and the low price farmers get for wool, the fleeces are considered a waste product.

“A lot of this wool would likely have been dumped somewhere to rot which is terribly wasteful,” John said. It took 300 fleeces to cover 80 meters of the muddy path, though it wasn’t a particularly easy job. In the driving rain, John dug a trench to hold the new surface – as he would for a regular path – but, rather than lining it all with geotextile matting, he lined it with wool.

John MacRae, John Muir Trust
John MacRae, estate manager from John Muir Trust on Skye.

It was rolled up or folded to create a “floating path” that was then covered with gravel. The wool will (hopefully) prevent the stones from sinking into the bog. “It’s worked out better than I could have imagined,” John said. “Apart from a couple of bits of wool poking out at the edges – which the vegetation will cover – you’d never know.” John’s motivation for using the wool stems from his wish to use natural materials as much as possible when looking after the estate.

“Plus it works out a lot cheaper too,” he said. “This wool was free, as well as being sustainable and locally sourced from farms six miles away. “The geotextile stuff we usually use is not cheap in terms of monetary value but also in terms of its carbon cost and transportation to get it here.”

As for how long the wool will last, John is confident that the new path “will outlive him” since it is surrounded by peat and gravel which prevent air from getting to the wool to degrade it.

Source: Philippa Gerrard, The Press and Journal UK

Businesses are being encouraged by the British Council for Offices (BCO) to put active commuting at the heart of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies.

A new BCO research report – The Market Cycles II – highlights that, “ESG policies can shift commuters towards more sustainable forms of travel, improve individual health and wellbeing and help companies cut carbon emissions.”

Rob Harris, Chair of the BCO Research Committee, said: “As the UK works towards its carbon reduction commitments, it is imperative that real estate and transport both play an active role. ESG is a fundamental driver in occupier decisions to take, renew or move offices, and those which are designed or redesigned to encourage active commuting are increasingly desirable in the UK market.”

When reviewing progress made in supporting active commuting (cycling as transport) the report highlights:

The Market Cycles II report also reflects that, “In May 2020, £2 billion was committed to cycling and walking over the course of the parliament, and during 2020/21 over £320 million was provided to local authorities through the Emergency Active Travel Fund. This funding is set to pay dividends for the UK economy, with research from HSBC estimating that if cycling was doubled from the 2020 level of 1.5% of all journeys made to 3% of all journeys nationwide, this would lead to an economic benefit of up to £2.09 billion per year for the UK.”

With this in mind, a survey of commercial landlords found:

Neil Webster, Associate Director at Remit Consulting and lead author of The Market Cycles II, comments: “Cycling and active commuting has enjoyed a sharp increase in popularity in recent years, and the office industry has risen to meet the challenge. In 2017 our research with the BCO found the focus for developers and landlords needed to be on the quality of the facilities offered, to encourage more workers to adopt active commuting.”

“It is encouraging to see that five years on, quality facilities including showers and secure parking are more readily available to occupiers.”

“Bicycle parking is increasingly a marketing differentiator for office space, with developers and investors of new buildings using ground floor and visitor parking, towel and shower services, and bike maintenance as key selling points. But there is still work to be done, such as increasing capacity for e-bikes and improving the accessibility of facilities for disabled cyclists, to ensure all workers, regardless of age and ability, have the option of embracing the active commute.”

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has also highlighted that switching to cycling and public transport is “essential” to hitting sustainability targets.

Source: Simon Cox, Cycling Industry News

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