Sainsbury's greenest store ever

All of the store’s electricity and heating will be provided by an onsite generator via a combined heat and power system using natural gas from the national grid. The equivalent amount of zero carbon biogas, required for the store each year, will be imported into the network from one of its Dairy Development Group farmer’s anaerobic digestion facilities in West Sussex, thus creating a closed loop.

None of its waste goes to landfill. Any surplus food is donated to local charities or made into animal feed. Waste food not suitable for consumption will be used to generate energy through anaerobic digestion. All general waste is recycled or turned into fuel.

Water requirements will be met through water efficient measures, as well as an offsetting partnership in the local community. 70% of non-potable water demand will come from rainwater harvesting and other water efficient initiatives. The remaining 30%, which is potable water for food preparation, will be offset by sponsoring water saving initiatives at a local partner site. In a year this approach will save enough water to meet the average needs of around 50 homes.

The new store’s sustainable features also include over 1200 solar PV panels generating enough electricity to power over 200 TVs in constant use for a year. The onsite petrol station also has PV power through a canopy system over the pumps, generating the energy needed to run the kiosk.

Over 120 prismatice roof lights are in place to maximize natural light in the store, which alone will save enough electricity to light more than 95 homes.

Neil Sachdev, Sainsbury’s Property Director, says: "We aim to be the UK’s Greenest Grocer and achieve our 20×20 target to reduce our operational carbon emissions by 30% absolute. To do this we’re now building and running highly sustainable, low carbon stores.

"Our new ‘Triple Zero’ stores in Leicester and Weymouth Gateway are examples of how we’re achieving this, by using power generated from waste in our supply chain and ‘Water Neutral’, which includes offsetting partnerships in the local community."