Lasting Sustainability at Squires

It was just over a year ago that Squire’s Garden Centres, with 16 centres mainly in the home counties, launched an initiative tasking selected members from each centre to identify working solutions to help the chain become a more sustainable business.

Known as Sustainability Champions they have already helped the business and community locally and encouraged Squire’s to expand the programme with more team members.

Recognising the success of the project is Ross McEwan, the group’s Stainability Manager. “With various initiatives working well across the business, our Sustainability Champions programme has certainly gathered momentum over the last year, ” he says. “In fact, we have increased the number of Sustainability Champions in garden centres, depending on their size, such has been the interest from colleagues. With more challenges facing the environment now - and in all our daily lives - colleagues across the business strive to support the programme, working on collaboration, in how we operate. There has been a sea change in how we think and how we act, which is great to see happen. ”

Sally Lomax, Food Buyer and Lin BurtonFoodhall Manager at Frensham Garden Centre, Surrey. “We are committed to reduce product waste, especially when it can still be used. ” What was implemented? Working together, Sally and Lin introduced Squire’s own ‘Too Good to Waste’ selection boxes of food items that although were approaching ‘end of retail sale’ , were still perfectly good for consumption. How successful was it? There has been a reduction in food waste and positive customer uptake and Squire’s is now looking to roll the idea of selection boxes out to other centres. FACTFILE:2

Anne Dedman (pictured), Managerand Kate Haines, Plant AreaManager at Long Ditton GardenCentre, Surrey.“We were approached to be part of a local climate and nature weekend by hosting talks and activities. ” How was it implemented? The champions held talks and demonstrations on how to encourage more wildlife into the garden and informed the audience on the progress of Squire’s sustainability journey. How successful was it? Audiences were inspired and feedback was high. It’s hoped similar events can be held throughout the year across more centres. Matt Tanner (pictured), CentreManager and Mark Felton,Furniture Dept Head at Wokingham Garden Centre, Berkshire. “We have undertaken a significant enefficiency/carbon reduction programme to reduce ourbuilding emissions. Part of this was for all our gardencentres to identify ways to save energy consumption. ” “We have undertaken a signifi cant energy effi ciency/carbon reduction programme to reduce our What was implemented? Matt and Mark identified amethod to individually switch off unnecessary spotlightswithin the centre without negatively effecting theshopping experience or the need for costly alterations tothe lighting system.

How successful was it? This work not only reduceselectricity use and cost, but importantly carbonemissions. The idea has been successfully rolled outacross all the Squire’s centres that use the same spotlights.

IT Manager “With the emergence of our online business and increasing home delivery model, we identified a route scheduling solution that would help us operate our fleet with greater fuel efficiencies. ” How was it implemented? With driver input, new software developed and a companywide training program initiated. How successful was it? Year on year comparisons show an increase in home delivery miles however by removing inconsistencies and vehicle overlaps, a drop in vehicle fleet emissions has been recorded. “With the emergence of our online business was