Woolworths is affirming its commitment to reducing the businesses' carbon footprint in honour of World Environment Day today, 5 June 2008.
The company has committed to reducing the relative amount of carbon produced directly by the business by 30% by 2012.
To minimise the business' impact it does the following:
• Sources product regionally, wherever possible, and the bulk of food, clothing and general merchandise from local suppliers.
• Uses a 5% biofuel mix in delivery vehicles that is produced from used cooking oil, and aims to lower fuel usage per distribution unit.
• Reduces the distances required to distribute stock by positioning distribution centres strategically.
The company is currently using relatively 5% less electricity this year compared to last year and the business is aiming to use relatively 10% less electricity by the end of the year.
Electricity-saving initiatives include:
• Changing all light fittings to energy-efficient units
• Using only electronic ballasts
• Managing lighting and air-conditioning usage
• Installing automated light switching equipment
• Conducting awareness programs among staff
• None of the company's stand-alone stores have air-conditioning, except in KZN, where it is necessary to control humidity
• Installing energy-efficient refrigeration systems in stores and depots
• Displaying frozen foods in closed cabinets
• Using ‘waste heat' from the refrigeration process to maintain comfortable trading conditions
• A pilot program using new refrigerant technology is being rolled out to all new stores going forward
• In building design, using natural ventilation and cross-ventilation with openable windows
• Using natural light
• Energy-efficient lighting
• Solar water heating
• Recycling heat used in refrigeration processes to warm trading and office areas
• Working with suppliers to reduce their carbon footprint, and constantly testing new concepts aimed at reducing energy usage
• Supporting ‘greening projects'
• Committing to planting 17 000 trees by 2012, one for each employee. The first 800 trees, of an initial planting of 1000 trees, were sourced from a Woolworths Trust EduPlant school nursery in Tembisa, have been planted at our Midrand Distribution campus as part of an ongoing greening project.
