Green Limerick: Store’s eco-friendly gains are well-earned

ONE BUSY Limerick store has made major sustainability upgrades having invested €160,000 on retrofitting their shop.

Centra in Patrickswell has installed over 100 new solar panels, upgraded their refrigerators and freezers, got new LED lights and installed an Electric Shelf Edge Labels (eSELs) system in an effort to enhance the efficiency of the store.

An eSEL system is used by retailers for displaying product pricing on shelves, reducing the use of paper labels.

Over the last year and as part of the significant store investment, the shop has also installed 145 solar panels, equating to saving 40,000Kwh worth of energy.

In addition to the investment made by the store, Centra Patrickswell received a grant from the Musgrave Sustainability Fund.

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The €25m fund, created by Musgrave Group of which Centra is a part of, is aimed at empowering retailers to achieve net zero carbon by 2040.

Supported by the fund to date, over 245 Centra stores have availed of it which has achieved a reduction of 2,017 tonnes of carbon, which is the equivalent of planting 366,800 trees or powering 1,000 homes per year.

David Hodkinson, store owner of Centra Patrickswell said: “We recognise the vital role we all play as a business, and as a community in combating climate change.

“As part of a significant investment in our store we are actively reducing our environmental footprint.

“Our commitment to sustainability will continue to evolve, ensuring ongoing improvements across the store.

“I would like to thank all our staff at Centra Patrickswell for all of their support in ensuring we operate an efficient and sustainable store.”

Supplementing these energy efficiencies, the store also offers organic and eco-offerings for customers, providing an organic section, loose fruit and vegetables, an eco- friendly range, a reduced to clear section and segregated recycling bins.

Centra Patrickswell is also active in the local community and provides coffee mornings for Action Breast Cancer and Ukraine.