Morrisons launches lower environmental impact store
Emphasis is put on local, sustainable and zero waste
7 July 2022
2 minute read
By: UK retailer Morrisons opened a lower environmental impact store in Little Clacton yesterday, according to a company press release.
The new store design, which has been built from scratch, for the first time incorporates the widest range of Morrisons structural features and loose products to reduce carbon emissions, energy and resources - and limit its environmental footprint.
Innovations include 366 loose products, a low carbon impact building, next generation fridges powered by CO2 from agricultural waste, roof solar panels to provide a fifth of energy, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing, a near zero waste back-of-house system, and facilities to recycle customers’ waste.
In addition to low impact design and decreased packaging and waste, the store also offers a significant number of locally-sourced products, a range of biodiversity schemes, more healthy and nutritious foods, and more support to the local community.
All of the store’s practical initiatives and designs have the potential to be scaled up and introduced across the Morrisons store estate - rather than being one-offs.
The store will house Morrisons widest range of no plastic products - priced the same or less than their standard equivalents - allowing customers to half the amount of plastic in their weekly shop, along with a range of local and eco product options.
“This store is a significant step forward on our sustainability journey," said David Potts, CEO of Morrisons. "It brings together all of the environmental and social initiatives we have created that can be rolled out into other stores across the country. It will start to inform the design of many more similar stores to come.”
The store will stock 366 loose products with no plastic packaging, including plastic-free shopping for over 110 products at the meat, fish and deli counters using refillable containers. Milk will only be sold in Tetra Packs, and plastic will be removed.
The store will also stock a very wide range of locally-sourced products from local farmers, growers and food makers. The idea is to help boost the local economy and keep food miles to a minimum. Over 250 local beers, spirits, fruits, vegetables, eggs, pies, breads, jams, teas, sauces, biscuits and crisps will be supplied from less than 35 miles away. The store will also be the first to trial Morrisons carbon neutral eggs.
