Excellence benchmarks outlined for retailers

A new report from the Joint Research Centre highlights best environmental management practices in the retail sector

It describes a number of techniques, measures and actions aimed at improving the management of areas like energy performance, the sustainability of the supply chain, transport and logistics, and waste and water management.

The centre, the in-house science service at the European Commission, has established what it calls a “benchmark of excellence” for each practice.

One example is for retailers to aim for annual heat consumption of zero kWh/m² by recovering the waste heat from the refrigeration cycle and maximising its use.

The report contains information on the economic viability and technical feasibility of each benchmark, so retailers have a clear picture of the investment and operational costs involved.