Cutting-edge refrigeration technology is set to slash the carbon footprint left by supermarket chain Waitrose by 20 percent.
Waitrose is the first UK supermarket to use the propane-based refrigeration technology and will install it in the new Altringham branch in 2010 and in every new store and refitted branch after.
The Environment Agency claim one quarter of carbon emissions from supermarkets comes from the refrigerators used in the stores, and the new technology could drastically reduce this number.
The new refrigerators will replace current Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) systems. Waitrose is investing in retraining engineers to deal with the new technology.
Nigel Keen, Director of building and services and development, said: “This is a very exciting new development for Waitrose and for all retailers. Reduction of HFCs is a major concern for supermarkets, and the beauty of this system is its simplicity.”
In February this year, the Environment Agency released a ‘Chilling Facts’ report, rating the commitment to HFC-free refrigerators from the UK’s supermarkets in a league table. In the report, Waitrose came seventh, behind Marks & Spencer and Tesco.
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