The Mall at Cribbs Causeway becomes more eco friendly with help of bees and robot cleaner

The shopping centre has invested in a number of schemes to cut carbon emissions

Cribbs Causeway shopping centre has been recognised for its eco efforts after launching a number of schemes to help it become more environmentally friendly. The Mall is one of only a few UK retail destinations to secure the so-called BREEAM excellent rating, according to its owners.

The award follows a comprehensive environmental programme by Cribbs including a campaign called ‘People, Planet, Purpose’ aimed at helping shoppers and tenants understand how the Mall is becoming more energy efficient.

Changes include installing LED lighting across 98 per cent of the site; investing in a solar thermal domestic hot water system powering hot water taps across toilet blocks; and replacing its inefficient plant with modern heating-cooling and fresh air systems.

The shopping centre has also introduced a robotic cleaning machine, which it says uses 35 per cent less water than traditional cleaning methods, and has developed a wildflower garden with beehives to boost biodiversity across the estate.

Other schemes include a new recycling strategy within the centre; reinstating a recycling coffee grinds initiative for shoppers to collect unwanted coffee grinds for their gardens; and regularly recycling unused uniforms from staff.

“The award highlights all the hard work the team have undertaken over the past few years as we strive to become one of the most sustainability-friendly destinations in the country,” said Katie Searle, director of asset management at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, which provides asset management to Cribbs.

“Becoming BREEAM certified is one of the key steps on this journey and we are looking forward to working closely with our partners at Savills, tenants and the local community to implement new ideas to not only support our ESG goals, but also those of our retailers and the wider community.”

BREEAM – or building research establishment environmental assessment method – is an international system used to measure and certify the environmental and sustainability performance of buildings and infrastructure.

The certification follows wider investment by Cribbs, including £300,000 in pedestrian and cycle pathway extensions; installing more electric vehicle charging points; and collaborating with local travel networks to offer staff subsidised rates on public transport.

Elsewhere, the shopping centre has launched a free events calendar, while also investing in first aid, mental health, and dementia and autism awareness training for its guest services team, it said.

It has also refurbished its accessibility unit and introduced care packages and new sanitary bins across male toilets as part of the ‘Boys Need Bins’ campaign – a public health initiative calling on the UK government to make sanitary disposal bins a legal requirement in all male public and workplace restrooms.