Greggs has said that it wants 250 stores to feature elements from the Eco Shop design by the end of 2022 | Photo credit: Greggs

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UK food-to-go and coffee chain Greggs has opened its first eco-store, which it will use to trial in-store sustainability initiatives.

The new outlet in Northampton, UK, is the company’s first ‘store of the future’ concept and forms part of the Greggs Pledge, a sustainability plan which sets out ten commitments that the company will adopt by 2025.

Aiming to operate with a reduced environmental impact compared to the properties in its existing portfolio, the new store has recyclable flooring, cistern-less and air assisted toilets, eco-ovens, heat pump air curtains and solar control glass.

It is hoped that all measures will contribute to improved waste management, water reduction and better energy efficiency.

Greggs has said that it wants 250 stores to feature elements from the Eco Shop design by the end of 2022, extending to at least a quarter of its current 2,200 stores by 2025.

“Our new Eco-Shop format gives us a platform to develop and test solutions to minimise our impact on the environment by cutting our waste, energy and water usage. As we continue to trial new and innovative sustainability initiatives we look forward to making real progress in our goal to becoming a greener Greggs,” said Tony Rowson, Property Director, Greggs.

In April 2022, Greggs reported its first-year progress on its ten sustainability and ethical business targets. This included redistributing 28% of all unsold food in its stores and joining the On Pack Recycling Label scheme as part of its target to use 25% less packaging by weight than in 2019.

The eco store trial bears similarities to the Starbucks Greener Store Framework, first announced in 2018 as part of a commitment by the Seattle-based coffee giant to design, build and operate 10,000 Greener Stores globally by 2025.

As of September 2021, Starbucks was operating more than 2,300 Greener Stores in the US and Canada, as well standalone concepts in China, Japan and Chile and planned openings in the UK.