Member Article

Launch of innovation lab fuels intu's sustainability drive

Shopping centre operator intu is launching a new innovation drive across its portfolio as it looks to pioneer new sustainability initiatives and programmes.

The leisure centre owner, which runs some of the UK’s biggest shopping centres, has launched its Green Lab innovation initiative today as part of its corporate responsibility report as it closes in on its self-imposed sustainability targets in 2020.

According to intu, 100% of waste at its centres have now been diverted from landfills, besting its target set in 2011 which aimed to send 99% of its waste to sources other than landfill by 2020.

The Trafford Centre, Lakeside and Eldon Square owner has also revealed that it is on track to achieve its carbon reduction and recycling targets by 2020, with 74% of waste now recycled across its portfolio and a 21% reduction in carbon intensity compared to 2010 levels.

While the figures are heartening for the London-headquartered company, intu is also developing its cross-department innovation lab as it seeks wider and more effective means to achieve sustainability gains and improve its operations.

Incorporating individuals from its asset management, operations and shopfit teams, the Green Lab initiative is to act as a testbed for solutions to the sizeable emissions challenges posed by their shopping centres, which stretches from carbon consumption of its power hungry properties to the use of natural resources as part of construction.

Alexander Nicoll, who is corporate responsibility director at intu, said: “Being a responsible business is at the heart of our brand values and can be seen through our culture.

“This has ensured we have a rich history of delivering against our targets and driving forward sustainable initiatives. The Green Lab project enables us to achieve greater innovation within this important area.”

The firm has already set about increasing the number of electric vehicle charging points at its centres, while solar panels have been installed on the roof of its Chapelfield property to test the viability of solar power across its estate.

Elsewhere, the centre owner has struck up a partnership with sustainability charity Bioregional to test a range of new innovations that could potentially be rolled out across intu’s UK shopping centres and the retail sector as a whole.