Scottish Retailers Asked for Views on Curbing Energy Use

Retailers are being given the chance to have their views on environmental impact heard at the 2016 Retail Energy Workshop hosted by Zero Waste Scotland. The free workshop, which takes places on Wednesday 3 February at Forth Valley College in Stirling, aims to gather insight from the sector on what changes can be made to reduce energy use, carbon emissions and costs for retailers.

Organisers also hope to identify the support needed to facilitate sector-wide change.

Zero Waste Scotland Food, Drink and Retail Sector Manager, William Fergusson said “Addressing the future sustainability of Scotland’s retail sector is a vital task to ensure that retailers are prepared for the environmental challenges that will impact upon their businesses.

“We hope to engage with as many independent retailers as possible in order to ensure that the appropriate support is available to enable Scottish retailers to remain competitive.”

Independent retailers, supply chain networks and industry partners, from refrigeration suppliers to shop outfitters, will address key resource efficiency issues.

Discussion topics on the day will include:

• Best practices for green retail
• How investment in environmentally friendly technologies can have a positive impact for independent retailers
• How a reduction in energy use can save money and increase productivity
• New and existing technologies available to make retail operations more efficient

Following the event, Zero Waste Scotland will examine the role of the retail sector in meeting Scotland’s long-term environmental goals.

Free advice and technical support for the retail sector is available through Resource Efficient Scotland, the Scottish Government programme delivered by Zero Waste Scotland to reduce costs by implementing resource efficiencies in energy, water, raw materials and waste management. This includes advice on the SME loan scheme which provide loans from £1,000 to £100,000 for the installation of resource efficient measures.

Head of Resource Efficiency at Zero Waste Scotland, Marissa Lippiatt said:

“The Scottish Government’s ambition to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curtail energy consumption over the next 30 years requires all business sectors to adopt green practices.

“This workshop is a valuable tool that lets us work in partnership with Scottish retail businesses to gather first hand information on what is currently working and where solutions are needed.”

Scotmid Co-operative will also be on hand to present the results of its retrofitted shop at Moredun, Edinburgh, which was the first of its kind in the county to implement a building management system that efficiently optimises its use of resources such as lighting, heating and refrigeration. The store, which received the Scottish Grocers Sustainable Retailer of the Year Award, was supported with funding and advice from Resource Efficient Scotland.

The 2016 Retail Energy Workshop will take place from 10:30am to 2:30pm at Forth Valley College in Stirling.

For more information or to register your attendance, email Louisa Coursey at louisa.coursey@zerowastescotland.org.uk or call 01786 433 930.

For more information on resource efficiency visit www.resourceefficientscotland.com