Retailers will be challenged to separate their waste into seven colour-coded waste streams spanning food, packaging materials and general waste. The waste will then be diverted away from landfill to alternative treatments where it will be reused to create new products and energy.

Trinity Leeds manager Dave Downes said the centre had a responsibility to lead by example, as one of the city’s largest businesses.

“We have hit our busiest period of the year so what better time to show just what we can do to provide a great shopping experience, while making a hugely positive mark on the environment,” said Downes.

“From now, our Make your Mark campaign will see waste channeled towards the very latest recycling technologies including anaerobic digestion which turns gasses emitted from food waste into the production of electricity.”

Leading by example

The recycling rate for households in Yorkshire hovers at around the 50% mark, but under the ‘Make your Mark’ scheme, Trinity Leeds aims to achieve a recycling rate above 95%, with nothing being sent to landfill.

To encourage compliance, Trinity has hired waste management company The Cawley Group and is offering cupcakes and doughnuts for key contributors.

The centre is also making the switch from black plastic waste bags to clear ones.

“There’s really nowhere to hide with clear bags,” said Dave Downes. “Our aim is zero waste and if waste is not segregated into the right channel, we need to be able to see why.”

Brad Allen

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