Helping Selfridges realise their
ambition to treat waste as a resource
The only store to be named the Best Department Store in the World three times, Selfridges can trace its history back to 1909, when the first Selfridges department store was opened by retail visionary Harry Gordon Selfridge. Following its acquisition by the Weston family in 2003, Selfridges has become a dynamic and innovative retail destination.
The challenge
Selfridges wanted to increase recycling and improve their sustainability by seeing waste as a resource.
The solution
We undertook an analysis of Selfridges waste streams, to meet Selfridges sustainability targets, to add to the cardboard and glass recycling solutions already in place. Based on this analysis, we introduced a number of new recycling waste streams, including dry mixed recycling and food waste.
Working with Selfridges, we segregate coffee cups and use the recycled fibres to create the iconic yellow Selfridges bags. Each bag now contains 24% recycled coffee cup material. These new services were introduced with educational campaigns to nurture a sustainable culture within Selfridges where waste is seen as a resource.
This included educational visits to Veolia’s Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) as well as working directly with the Cleaning and Project teams. This built on the strong partnership we have with the Facilities Management team to ensure the new services were well received.
Value delivered
Veolia has more than trebled recycling rates from 15% to 55%, delivering 100% landfill diversion from day one.
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