Retailer Barkers of Northallerton has introduced a range of green initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. These include solar panels, a biomass heating system, 90% LED lights, a recycling system, in-store products and customer car charging units.
Solar panels have been installed at its department and home store, and are generating more than 47.59 MWh of clean energy every year, while more than 13.43 tonnes of carbon emissions will be offset each year.
A custom-designed low-carbon biomass heat and power system has been installed at Barkers’ distribution warehouse at Standard Way Business Park, Northallerton, and both stores are reducing the amount of waste going to landfill sites by recycling.
The latest initiative has also seen four car charging points for customers with electric and hybrid cars installed in the Barkers Home car park.
Barkers' director Ian Barker says both Barkers department store and Barkers Home wareere committed to further environmental improvements: “Customers and the general public expect businesses to be responsible and do more for the environment," he says. “We want to be at the forefront on green issues as we feel it is important and we have gradually been adapting both stores and our warehouse to become environmentally friendly.
“It is crucial for businesses to appreciate the importance of sustainability. Business owners have the potential to make a huge impact on the global footprint and benefit both the planet and their company.”
Barkers' Iain MacLeod, Guy Barker and Ian Barker
