Sustainability

There’s no plan B when it comes to our planet.

This is our opportunity to make our planet a better place to live and work. Because there is no plan B.

Where we are

We consider the impact of every decision we make with a focus on doing the right thing - from how we transport our products and power our stores, to selling products that are too good to waste. We’ve become the first national retailer to sell only slower-reared, higher-welfare, fresh chicken. And we only use responsibly sourced cotton in our clothing products. 

Plan A

Plan A is our focus to become a net zero business across all our operations and value chain by 2040. We’ve set out clear targets for the coming years and laid out an ambitious roadmap with 10 priority areas where we’ll focus first. We’re reimagining almost every part of how we work to do the right thing for people and the planet and deliver on our promises. This is our opportunity to make our planet a better place to live and work. Because there is no plan B.

Achievements

We’ve set big targets and together, we’re making them happen.

• Reduced food waste: We reduced our food waste to 46% and remain on track to meet our 50% reduction by 2030 target. We redistributed 85% of food that wasn't sold to charities, organisations or colleagues – up from 79% last year – a big stride towards our goal of 100% by 2026.
• Sustainably sourced material: We sourced 100% of the cotton in our clothing from responsible sources with organic and recycled certifications. For the cotton in our Home products – we’re currently at 90%, with a goal of 100% by 2026.
• Helping customers recycle: We increased our recyclable food packaging to 93% as we strive to be at 100% by 2026. Our clothes recycling scheme, known as ‘Shwopping’ has been live since 2008, and has raised £23m for Oxfam in this time – all while reducing waste.
• Reducing carbon emissions: We have reduced our Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions by 33% since 2016/17 and are on course to meet our 55% target by 2030 as we strive for net zero in our stores and logistics network. In our owned International business, we’ve now switched to low-carbon LED lighting in 63% of our stores, with a goal to reach 100% by 2025.