SPAR Strategy 2 Sustain

First climate protection store in Upper Austria
The SPAR climate protection store in Linz is the first commercial property in Upper Austria which has been granted a gold certification by ÖGNI (Austrian Society for sustainable real estate industry).
Carrier bag initiative reduces waste and benefits local schools
The SPAR ‘Go Greener’ campaign has raised hundreds of pounds for two local primary schools. For every carrier bag that a customer reuses in store they receive a ‘Green’ voucher valued at 10p and they simply drop the voucher in the collection box of their choice. There is a box for both local primary schools - East Wemyss and Coaltown of Wemyss.
Energy Independent Supermarket Opens
The first supermarket in Austria which consumes only as much energy as it produces has opened. By using modern building materials and renewable energy sources, the supermarket is energy independent and thus CO₂ neutral.
Largest solar panel module in Bornholm
SUPERSPAR Aakirkeby, Denmark, is expected to produce up to 50% of its electricity consumption by investing in 520 solar cells, covering 600m²

Emissions

There is an increasing focus within the supply chain on reducing the impact on the environment in terms of emissions. Within SPAR there we place a particular emphasis on the reduction of the carbon footprint of our activities as a wholesalers and retailer.

The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is recognised as playing a key role in reducing global warming. SPAR is already committed to seeking measures to reduce our CO₂ footprint.

Presently we focus on improving the whole supply chain in order to conduct business in an environmentally friendly way. The palette of examples reaches from modernized truck fleets with the newest motors of the EURO 5 Standards in Switzerland, or the use of recycled CO₂ as a fuel substitute instead of diesel for chilled transport in the Netherlands to our SPAR warehouses and stores.

Energy

The cost of energy has seen retailers launching initiatives to minimise the consumption of energy, which in turn has a beneficial impact on carbon emissions. Examples of initiatives already underway include low energy lighting, installing energy efficient equipment and reducing the use of electricity for heating and cooling.

Energy has the greatest impact on the environment in terms of greenhouse gases. Thus, we have to find sustainable ways to decrease the environmental impact of our energy consumption. Lighting and refrigeration constitute over 50% of total energy use in the average supermarket.

Consequently, supermarket retailers are focusing on energy monitoring systems and energy saving initiatives such as LED (light-emitting diode) lighting, sustainable cooling and heating systems as well as an overall energy efficient store management and use of technologies such as solar panels.

Construction

SPAR seeks to minimise the environmental impact of our new buildings over their life span. This applies to both retail outlets and distribution centres and offices.

Where applicable we use environmentally friendly and natural building materials, and also design buildings to be energy efficient. Among others, projects are designed to reduce energy use by extracting energy from ground water and increasing the use of natural light in buildings.

In SPAR Austria two climate audition certified stores have been opened, which feature the newest sustainable construction methods and innovative energy saving equipment inside.

Recycling

The cost of waste collection and disposal have become major cost factor in our business. This has prompted an intensive focus throughout the whole food industry on eliminating, reducing and recycling waste.

SPAR consistently seeks to outperform our national targets. The approaches adapted vary by country, reflecting national legislation and infrastructural arrangements.

An example to show our commitment to recycle, is one of the SPAR recycling centre from A.F. Blakemore Logistics which increased the total amount of waste it recycles from 85% to 95% since 2006. This has led to a reduction of waste sent to landfill from 305 tonnes to 123 tonnes over the same period.