Waitrose has topped the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) Chilling Facts report in recognition of its industry-leading work to cut refrigeration emissions over the last year.
The retailer has pledged to use only green fridges across all its stores within 10 years.
Following this, Waitrose is now calling on other supermarkets to recognise the business benefits of the new technology.
As well as dramatically cutting carbon footprint, the new propane-based fridges will, cut energy costs by at least 10%, cut servicing and maintenance costs by at least 50%, and be quicker to install than traditional options – resulting in much less disruption to stores and customers and reduced installation costs.
Since Waitrose completed the development of the technology in June, it has installed the system in four of its shops – the most recent being in Wellington, Somerset, which opened on 28 January. At least 25 more shops are planned for 2010.
Nigel Keen, Waitrose director of development, said: “We’re very proud to have made such big leaps forward in this area and topped the EIA’s league table.
“With 60% of the electricity we use going on refrigeration it is an absolutely vital part of our work to reduce our impact on the environment. Over the next 10 years the reduction in our carbon emissions will be the equivalent of taking 35,000 cars off the road.”
