Celebrating community action this Great Big Green Week

Great Big Green Week is the UK’s largest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. From the 8th to 16th of June 2024, tens of thousands of people across the country will come together to support environmental action. This year, the Great Big Green Week is encouraging individuals to make everyday swaps that contribute to a safer, greener future. Central Co-op is proud to support this movement, showcasing our commitment to sustainability through various community initiatives.

Creating Sustainable Spaces with Groundwork UK

In partnership with Groundwork UK, we’ve been creating Sustainable Spaces around our stores and funeral homes for the past few years. These green sanctuaries feature benches, winding paths and raised flower beds that stimulate the senses and foster a deeper connection with nature. These spaces not only enhance the environment but also offer community members a place to relax and appreciate the natural world.

Fighting food waste with Olio

This year we’ve been thrilled to announce the official rollout of our partnership with Olio across all Central Co-op stores, marking a significant milestone in the fight against food waste and food poverty. The impact so far has been outstanding: during the rollout phase, 351,488 items were saved, 106,022kg of food rescued (equivalent to 17 elephants!), and 194,505 meal equivalents saved, benefiting 6,848 individual households. This partnership has also saved 61 million litres of water, avoided 352,322kg of CO2 emissions, taken 1.2 million car miles off the road, and planted the equivalent of 16,182 trees.

Belper Goes Green festival

On Saturday the 8^th of June, Central Co-op’s Membership & Community Council (MCC) joined the Belper Goes Green festival - a vibrant event celebrating eco-friendly living in Derbyshire. Our team had a wonderful day engaging attendees with fun activities such as potting plants and rock painting, while also providing valuable information on the sustainable swaps available at Central Co-op's local stores and funeral homes.

Market Harborough’s greener goodbyes

Our funeral home in Market Harborough took part in the Great Big Green Week by hosting a special eco-event on Wednesday the 12^th of June, at The Square in Market Harborough. Our electric Mustang fleet was on display, demonstrating the sustainable swaps families can make to ensure a lasting, positive legacy for their loved ones and the planet. The team handed out packets of seeds and provided insights into sustainable funerals, aiming to break the stigma and mystery around funeral homes.

Supporting local sustainability initiatives

Central Co-op is dedicated to supporting sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives all year round. Through our Community Dividend Fund, we donated £1,250 to local action group, Sustainable Sawbridgeworth, who encourage communities in Hertfordshire to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. Sustainable Sawbridgeworth collaborates with local businesses, schools and community groups to promote environmental improvements and sustainable living practices, from providing recycling information to campaigning against single-use plastics.

Grassroots environmental actions

Central Co-op’s Member and Community Councils (MCC) are active across our trading estate, supporting sustainable practices. In Yorkshire, for example, colleagues and MCC members participate in river clean-ups, tree planting, and supporting community allotments and gardens. They also collaborate with local action groups to amplify their impact.

This Great Big Green Week, colleagues from Central Co-op's Oundle store took part in a litter pick with Blooming Oundle, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to keeping our communities clean and green.

Join us in making a difference

As we celebrate The Great Big Green Week, Central Co-op invites you to join us in making everyday swaps for a greener future. Whether it’s participating in local events, choosing sustainable products or reducing food waste, every action counts. Together, we can create a more sustainable, environmentally friendly world for generations to come.