Gunwharf Quays recognised as International Green World Ambassador

After saving £60,000 through an innovative waste management project, Gunwharf Quays have been chosen as an official International Green World Ambassador.

The premium outlet shopping centre received the title at this year’s prestigious Green Apple Environment Awards in London, following the success of their waste management project.

The project was launched by Gunwharf Quays in 2014, and is designed to increase the centre’s volume of recycling. This has been achieved through educating stores on what materials can be recycled, creating a monthly ‘Waste Champion’, and ensuring that the centre has all of the correct resources for recyclable waste collection.

Gunwharf Quays set an ambitious target for 70% of its waste to be recycled, which the centre has met in just two years. As a result of this saving, the centre no longer sends any waste to landfill, and has saved more than £60,000 through the project.

The award judges commented: “Large shopping centres such as Gunwharf Quays present huge amounts of sometimes tricky waste with which to deal. Gunwharf Quays wanted to find a more positive approach and have continually fine-tuned their treatment to yield 75% reuse and recycling, and zero to landfill.

“Having saved more than £60,000 already they look to improve even more going forward.”

Colin Wilding, General Manager at Gunwharf Quays, added: “Contributing to the enhancement of the environment is absolutely crucial and, at Gunwharf Quays, we are passionate about sustainability.

“We are committed to finding the most efficient, innovative and environmentally friendly methods to manage the centre’s waste.

“Our project reaches far wider than the centre, it underpins Land Securities’ belief and dedication to improving the environment across the country.

“We’re honoured to be chosen as a Green World Ambassador — it marks the hard work of not only the team who created the project, but also our stores and customers who have all fully invested in the waste-saving initiatives.”

Details on Gunwharf Quays’ project will also be published in The Green Book, which is distributed to environment professionals, universities, and libraries around the world by The Green Organisation.