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Midlands Co-op - your responsible retailer

Question List

  1. What efforts are we making to reduce our packaging?
  2. Do we have any initiatives relating to carrier bags?
  3. What steps do we take to recycle packaging waste?
  4. What happens to food waste?
  5. What happens to waste electrical/electronic goods?
  6. How effective is our distribution network?
  7. How energy efficient is our distribution fleet and associated vehicles?
  8. What effort is being made to conserve energy?
  9. How 'green' are the electrical items we sell in our stores?
  10. What about the 'greenness' of our garden products?
  11. Is it true we are selling the world's lightest whisky bottle?
  12. Do we sell the ethical water brand, One?
  13. Do we sell recycled household paper, such as toilet rolls?
  14. How do we support Fairtrade?
  15. How do customers know that the money they spend on Fairtrade products is going to Fairtrade projects?
  16. What plans do we have to continue supporting Fairtrade?
  17. How much do we support UK and local product sourcing?
  18. What is our policy towards free range chickens and eggs?

Answer List

  1. What efforts are we making to reduce our packaging?

    The Co-operative Movement’s strategy can be summed up in three words: Reduce, Recycle, Re-use. Midlands Co-op is working hard to turn this strategy into action.

    We are members of a buying group called CRTG (Co-operative Retail Trading Group). In March 2007, all our suppliers were invited to a conference at which members of CRTG outlined their aspirations to reduce product packaging for both fresh and ambient produce (both product and outer-box packaging). It is intended that this will be a requirement for those suppliers who wish to continue supplying CRTG.

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  2. Do we have any initiatives relating to carrier bags?

    The Co-operative Movement has signed an undertaking with the UK Government to reduce carrier bag usage by 25% by 2008. Midlands Co-op has signed up to that initiative and has already achieved a 20% reduction in the number of bags being dispensed and a 26% reduction in the use of raw materials through 2007. Furthermore all Midlands Co-op carrier bags are degradable within nine months.

    Midlands Co-op has also introduced a new smaller bag for purchases of five items or less and will have installed used carrier bag collection points in all of its food stores by the end of April 2008.

    The Co-operative Fairtrade Bag for Life, priced at 99p, is the only supermarket bag for life to be made using Fairtrade-certified cotton. It is made from unbleached cotton, which is hand-washable to prolong life and can be composted in the garden when it eventually wears out. It is anticipated that the Fairtrade cotton bag will eventually replace the plastic Bags for Life.

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  3. What steps do we take to recycle packaging waste?

    After making deliveries to our food stores, our drivers collect flattened cardboard and polythene in cages and return them to the Food Distribution Centre in Leicester, where they are baled and compacted, and then sold on to a third party for recycling. A similar process has also been introduced for our non-food store deliveries.

    At the end of 2007 we also took the decision to recycle all of our hard plastic and chose a new recycling agent who could carry out this process. This has resulted in an increase in the amount of plastic we are recycling by 20%.

    We continue to work with local authorities in accommodating recycling containers for customers wherever space permits. These containers currently cover paper, plastic, clothing, bottles and shoes.

    Midlands Co-ops Chilled Distribution Centre and Food Distribution Centre are currently trying to reduce cardboard waste with 65% of cardboard packaging being replaced with recycled green trays. This has led to a decrease in cardboard recycling by 15% from 2006 to 2007.

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  4. What happens to food waste?

    We are legally required to ensure that food that is past its use-by date does not enter the food chain. Strict regulations govern the removal of meat waste, which has to be separated from other waste and collected by a licensed carrier. We continue to work to reduce what we send to landfill and we are investigating various other methods of disposal such as gasification, pyrolytic conversion and composting. We aim to reduce what we sent to landfill by 10% by the end of the year.

    Because it is past its use-by date and therefore deemed unfit for consumption, out-of-date food cannot be sent to homeless shelters or elsewhere, as is sometimes requested.

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  5. What happens to waste electrical/electronic goods?

    The Society has signed up to the WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) which states that from July 2007 producers and distributors of all electrical products have a responsibility in law to ensure that these items are disposed of outside traditional landfill at the end of their working life. MCS has joined the Distributor Take Back Scheme (DTS) and will be exempt until January 2010 from having to offer in-store take back. What this means in practice is that we (along with the majority of major retailers) have paid a fee to a government agency to assist councils in setting up district collection facilities or to upgrade existing civil amenity sites with the capacity to handle large volumes of redundant electrical appliances for manufacturers. Our obligation is to educate the public to take their redundant electrical goods to the appropriate district collection facility (we will provide this information on sale of goods) and to point people towards a website offering recycling advice, www.recyclemore.com.

    Since not all of our customers will have the ability to take redundant equipment to a district collection facility, we are licensed to offer a disposal service, for a fee. For that reason, we have registered three of our premises as private district collection facilities. These facilities, which have been operating since July 2007, arrange the sorting and collection of the electrical waste, by an authorised recycling agent. As a result of this all of our electrical waste is now recycled.

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  6. How effective is our distribution network?

    We feel that our food distribution centres in Leicester provide us with the optimum position for distribution - located just seven miles from the exact centre of our trading area; this has a positive effect on reducing food miles. The average depot to store and return journeys for chilled and ambient vehicles is 120 kilometres and 105 kilometres respectively. When compared against other Co-op operated warehouses the journey mileage travelled by Midlands Co-op vehicles are 50% lower. The average figures for Co-operative Group are 225 kilometres and 221 kilometres for chilled and ambient respectively.

    During 2008 we have also entered into local support agreements with neighbouring Co-operative Societies eg Tamworth, which will reduce the overall carbon footprint by optimising benefits of localised distribution operations.

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  7. How energy efficient is our distribution fleet and associated vehicles?

    When it comes to reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency and fuel efficiency, we are keen to explore every avenue. The Society has a fleet of 45 LGVs and is committed to buying the latest models which includes purchasing automatic vehicles as opposed to manual – two vehicles use Adblue, an additive that reduces emissions, two gas trucks have been trialled and some have the new fridge engines that reduce fuel consumption, carbon and noise. When necessary, HGVs will be replaced with Euro 5 engines representing the latest in terms of energy efficiency. Within the CDC/FDC warehouses, 95% of the fork lift truck fleet are battery powered and are therefore extremely low in terms of pollutants. Fleet operatives are provided with advice on how to ensure that the vehicles are being driven and maintained for optimum performance.

    One of the best ways to reduce fuel consumption is by looking at the action of our drivers, for this reason all of our LGV drivers will be given Safe and Fuel Efficient Driver Training (SAFED) during 2008.

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  8. What effort is being made to conserve energy?

    Reducing energy consumption is of paramount importance across the entire property estate and all of our larger Retail stores have an ‘energy champion’ in place and store managers have clear energy efficiency targets to achieve annually. Initiatives such as advanced refrigeration controls, refrigeration night blinds, lighting control, building management systems and water saving devices are being investigated and implemented where feasible across the Society. In terms of energy procurement when energy contracts are up for renewal, not only do we look for the most cost effective but also the likely cost of securing a proportion of energy from ‘green’ sources. Overall, the Society is committed to improving energy efficiency by 10% by 2010, and its Carbon emissions by 20% by 2015.

    Our CDC warehouse incorporates a number of energy saving features including automatic lighting, and computerised systems. We are currently considering implementing a voice-recognition system into the warehouse to eliminate the considerable paper waste produced by the ‘pickers’. The FDC warehouse, which is a much older building, is to be updated in terms of its own energy efficiency to at least bring it in line with the CDC.

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  9. How 'green' are the electrical items we sell in our stores?

    Overall, the majority of the electrical items we sell in-store are rated ‘A’ or above* (the most energy efficient).

    In most of our food stores where we sell electrical items, we only stock ‘A’-rated items or above. In our department and other non-food stores, we stock a selection of energy-rated products, but the majority we sell are ‘A’-rated or above (as a result of customer demand). . * = ‘A’ is the most efficient rating with ‘G’ being the least efficient rating. The most efficient products, such as freezers and fridges, are now rated ‘A+’ and ‘A++’.

    Midlands Co-op is also looking to increase the number of energy efficient lamps and light bulbs sold in its food stores. By increasing availability and reducing prices, the Society hopes to make energy efficient lighting more appealing to customers. This includes extending the distribution of energy saving light-bulbs to more stores and reducing the price of energy-saving lamps on sale.

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  10. What about the 'greenness' of our garden products?

    All of the wooden garden furniture and charcoal sold in Midlands Co-op stores are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved.

    FSC certified forests are managed to ensure long term timber supplies, while protecting the environment and the lives of forest-dependent people.
    The charcoal we sell is produced from scrub wood, which is low grade and not of any great value.

    Next year we will be introducing FSC approved compost

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  11. Is it true we are selling the world's lightest whisky bottle?

    Yes, the Co-op has launched what is believed to be the world's lightest 70cl spirits bottle! As well as minimising the amount of glass being used in packaging and ultimately the amount of glass that ends up in landfill, the new bottle, which weighs in at just 298 grams compared to 350 grams, is the first commercially available 70cl bottle to break the 300 gram weight barrier. Initially used for the Co-op's own-label Scotch whisky, this is to be followed by the Co-op own-label gin and vodka. It is anticipated that this will result in savings of 20 tonnes of glass per annum.

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  12. Do we sell the ethical water brand, One?

    One is a bottled water brand with a difference – proceeds go to build unique ‘Roundabout PlayPumps’, which bring much needed water to some of the poorest rural communities in Africa. The Co-op is the biggest retail supporter of One, making a contribution to the African water projects for every bottle sold. In addition to this, every time a customer buys a bottle or multipack of the Co-operative Fairbourne Springs Mineral Water a donation is also made to the "One Foundation".

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  13. Do we sell recycled household paper, such as toilet rolls?

    The Co-op is the first retailer to convert its entire own-brand household paper range, including facial tissues, to material that has been completely sourced from FSC-certified responsibly-managed forests and recycling facilities.

    From 21 May 2007, the Co-operative own label bathroom tissue, kitchen towel and facial tissue range will feature the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) trademark, indicating that the products are made with wood fibre from forests which are well managed according to strict environmental, social and economic standards.

    Attention has been paid to all the components of the product - from the tissue, to the cardboard, to the packaging. The range includes the following highlights:

    1. All products are from FSC-certified material
    2. Recycled toilet tissue and recycled kitchen towel options available
    3. Degradable film used to wrap the kitchen towel and toilet tissue
      - fully degradable in four years (conventional plastic takes up to 100 years)
    4. Core roll in the centre of the toilet tissue and kitchen towel made from recycled material
    5. Recycled cardboard box for the facial tissue range made from post-consumer waste
    6. All the boxes for the facial tissue are entirely card and paper - no plastic components to interfere with recycling.

    The range includes the UK's first FSC-certified recycled toilet tissue and kitchen towel.

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  14. How do we support Fairtrade?

    In line with the Co-operative Group's stance on Fairtrade, Midlands Co-op is committed to supplying and promoting Fairtrade products.

    Midlands Co-op supports Fairtrade in the following ways -

    In our stores

    Currently around 225 different Fairtrade products are available in Midlands Co-op outlets (stock is dependent on local demand), and this ranges from coffee and chocolate to cereal and cranberry sauce.

    Midlands Co-op supports Fairtrade Fortnight every year with in-store posters and merchandise and a 20% discount offer. In 2007, sales of Fairtrade goods in Midlands Co-op stores were up by 46% (like for like compared to last year).

    In 2007, Midlands Co-op made a commitment to ensure that Fairtrade bananas were available in all of its retail stores.

    In the community

    Midlands Co-op has helped many communities achieve Fairtrade status. In Oundle, for example, a member of staff at the store was actively involved with the town's achievement of Fairtrade status in May. This work was supported by the store manager and the Society.

    Through our Member Relations' teams, Midlands Co-op supports various Fairtrade community events, including fashion shows and tasting sessions as well as school lessons/assemblies. They also serve in an advisory capacity helping cities and towns such as Birmingham and Ashbourne gain Fair-trade status.

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  15. How do customers know that the money they spend on Fairtrade products is going to Fairtrade projects?

    All of the Fairtrade products stocked in Midlands Co-op stores carry the FAIRTRADE Mark. This guarantees a better deal for Third World producers (those living in poorer countries in the Americas, Africa and Asia). The Fairtrade Foundation is an independent organisation which oversees the work of all its UK partners, including the Co-op.

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  16. What plans do we have to continue supporting Fairtrade?

    In addition to supporting Fairtrade Fortnight in March, Midlands Co-op is promoting an additional focus on Fairtrade. This will be the second time Midlands Co-op has actively promoted Fairtrade twice in any one year. In September, merchandise and special offers will be highlighted to customers in all retail stores.

    Co-op Fairtrade facts and firsts

    1. In 1992, the Co-op was the first supermarket to embrace Fairtrade by stocking Cafédirect.
    2. In 2000, the Co-op introduced the UK's first Fairtrade bananas.
    3. Co-op Milk Chocolate 45g was the UK's first own-brand product to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark.
    4. In 2002, the Co-op converted all its own-brand block chocolate to Fairtrade.
    5. In 2003, the Co-op converted all its own-brand coffee to Fairtrade.
    6. The Co-op introduced the world's first Fairtrade mangoes and pineapples.
    7. The Co-op's Fairtrade Chilean Carmenère was the UK's first fairly-traded supermarket own-brand wine.
    8. The Co-op campaigns for and develops Fairtrade in communities and has launched guides on how to become a Fairtrade Town and how schools can become 'Fairtrade friendly'.
    9. At the beginning of 2006, the Co-op sourced five new own-label wines from the Du Toitskloof co-operative in South Africa. The wines are all produced from grapes grown by the 22 farms belonging to the co-operative. This is one of the largest Fairtrade projects in the world.
    10. In September 2006, the Co-op launched the UK's first Fairtrade wines from Argentina.
    11. In 2007, the first Fairtrade cotton bag for life went on sale in Co-op stores and Fairtrade bananas were made available in every Co-op Store.
    12. In January 2008 the Co-op introduced the first Fairtrade chilled Smoothie drinks
    13. In March 2008 the Co-op switched all of its own brand hot beverages to Fairtrade.
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  17. How much do we support UK and local product sourcing?

    We understand that our members and customers have pride in food produced in the UK and want to support British producers. Our buying consortium, the Co-operative Retail Trading Group (CRTG), is taking the lead on helping us - and other co-operative societies - achieve that goal, but it is taking a planned approach in order to ensure that UK and local sourcing is sustainable. We would not be doing our customers any favours if we were to promote a locally sourced product one week, only to find that the supplier could not meet demand or quality standards the next! Nonetheless, there is a commitment to source meat, dairy and other food products in Britain and within the regions wherever that is possible.

    So what progress has been made? At the moment we can claim that all beef, pork, Christmas turkey, seasonal lamb and the Truly Irresistible Range is British. What's more, 90% of our carrots and potatoes, 80 % of our onions, 75% of our cabbage, 60% of our soft fruit, 55% of our leafy salads, 50% of our cucumbers, 40% of our mushrooms, 35% of our pears and 35% of our broccoli are all British.

    A particular focus is on potatoes from Cornwall, Pembrokeshire and Lincolnshire, as well as Cheshire and Ayreshire. We have also increased the supply of UK cherries sourced from Kent.

    CRTG is developing a three-year new Product Development plan for produce emanating from co-operative farms - we are, after all, the largest farmer in the UK and the only supermarket offering customers products that have been grown on our own farms. The focus currently is on potatoes, onions, frozen peas, strawberries, cereal bars and honey.

    This will increase to include: apples, raspberries, broccoli, beer, flour and cider.

    And what's more, we are going to shout about our UK sourcing - so that packaging makes it clear that we are sourcing British or local products!

    Here at Midlands itself, we have been proud to sell both asparagus and strawberries sourced from farms in Staffordshire and will continue to work with CRTG to seek other local suppliers.

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  18. What is our policy towards free range chickens and eggs?

    The Co-op banned the sale of eggs from caged hens from February 2008.

    The move was made following the consultation with members on the development of a food ethical policy, including animal welfare.

    All the Co-op's own-label eggs have been free range since October 2006 and, in November 2007, the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) named The Co-op as Retailer of the Year, in recognition of its commitment to selling free range eggs.

    The Co-op is committed to providing welfare-friendly British chicken and all its fresh own-label whole birds are raised to its own high welfare ‘Elmwood’ standard.

    In March 2008, the Elmwood standard was rolled out to incorporate all Co-op fresh chicken. ‘The Elmwood chickens live in a more natural environment which allows them to thrive, with more space to move around in, perch and rest, with lots of natural daylight and a vegetarian, high cereal diet.’

    The Co-op also sells a Freedom Food free range chicken under its Truly Irresistible label, as well as an own-label organic chicken.

    For Christmas 2007, The Co-op was the first major retailer to convert all its fresh turkey and turkey crowns to British Freedom Food. It was also the first retailer to sell Freedom Food-accredited British fresh duck in 2005.

 

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