Reducing our ecological footprint

Waste management, optimised usage of natural resources, the promotion of high-quality environmentally-friendly products and services and the architectural integration of our retail sites are all Group commitments to environmental protection. A new generation of shopping centres and stores is gradually being introduced: in these new buildings, the emphasis is on installation, natural lighting, low energy systems, heat and rainwater recovery, architectural integration, improved and expanded landscaping and the use of photovoltaic panels. Thes photovoltaic panels are being progressively fitted to new sites.

Every site is committed to continual improvement of its waste sorting and recycling systems. In China, Auchan recovers and recycles 100% of its waste parper, cardboard and wood. Auchan is pioneering the introduction of waste processing in Ukraine. Work on waste management continues around the Group. The recycling rate is now 62.4 % at Auchan France. Alternative reusable solutions are now being offered in France following the discontinuation of disposable plastic bags. These alternative solutions are encouraged in all European countries. Auchan City was the first chain in Russia to encourage reusable alternative solutions and discontinue distribution of plastic bags at the checkout: the profit made from sales of biodegradable bags is donated to orphanage charities.

The reduction of energy consumption is a major preoccupation.  The annual amount of electricity consumed by Auchan France fell by 3.7% in 2008. In China, Auchan has introduced a programme designed to deliver energy and water savings. In order to reduce its consumption of paper, Banque Accord and its subsidiary Oney have ceased producing account statements and launched the e-statement. Photovoltaic and solar heating panels have been installed on store roofs in Portugal. In 2008, Sabeco was the empresa amiga (partner company) of the Saragossa universal exhibition on the theme of Water and Sustainable Development.

The chains are also working on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from road transport through the optimisation of truck loading and the management of logistics sites.  The Group uses river and rail transport wherever possible, and especially in Europe for products imported in bulk. In France, Atac has begun using rail to transport fruit and vegetables from south-western France and Provence, and intends to extend the scheme to include other areas of production.

Employees are made aware of environmental issues and receive training in environmentally-friendly practices. To identify areas for progress and measure advances, indicators have been defined in France and Portugal. ISO 14001 certification has been achieved by 18 hypermarkets (7 in France, 2 in Portugal, 8 in Spain, and 1 in Hungary): a recognition of the company’s commitment to environmental protection. In France, an internal "environmental qualification" self-evaluation benchmarking scheme tailored to the needs of hypermarkets was introduced during the year.