The Shoprite Group says it will invest a further R3.5 billion in projects to reduce its environmental footprint, following the finalisation of sustainability-linked loans.
These investments will be used to expand key initiatives that form part of its sustainability strategy, including growing its renewable energy, recycling, sustainable packaging and energy efficiency programmes.includes a R2 billion loan from Standard Bank, an R800 million sustainability-linked loan and a R700 million green loan from RMB for investment in environmental projects.
Energy efficiency, including LED lighting, and a monitoring system for refrigeration to reduce energy consumption and waste. Reduced electricity consumption by 150 million kWh through its LED lamp replacement project since inception; “The loans allow us to continue to make a sustainable, positive environmental impact and improve our operational efficiencies, which in turn result in additional ongoing savings that we can pass on to our customers.”In July, the group announced changes to its fleet of trucks to cut back on fuel consumption and become more energy efficient while transporting products across the country.