Countdown opens ‘greenest store’ including EV and bike parks

Countdown has opened its “greenest store yet” at Richmond near Nelson, which includes EV chargers for customer’s cars, an electric online delivery truck, bike parks, and solar panels that will generate 10-15% of the store’s total energy.

The new 3450m2 supermarket has been built with sustainability at the heart of its construction and design and will be New Zealand’s first supermarket to be accredited by Green Star, an internationally recognised rating system for the design, construction and operation of buildings, fit outs and communities.

“We’re really determined to make sure we’re building not just a Countdown of the future, but stores that help protect that future too,” Countdown property general manager Matt Grainger says. “Countdown Richmond is the first of many steps we’re taking to meet our ambitious sustainability goals, including a goal to achieve a 4 Green Star design and as-built rating for all of our new property developments, and a 5 Green Star minimum standard by 2025.”

Grainger says construction waste from the project going to landfill was reduced by 83%.

“We’ve recycled demolition waste where possible and used more sustainable and recycled products within the build including using fly ash in the store’s foundations and recycled aggregate in the asphalt,” he explains.

Some of the emissions, water, paper and energy saving features in the new store include transcritical refrigeration systems that use natural refrigerant gases, LED lighting, water-saving taps, an energy management system which provides regular updates on store energy and water use, fridge and freezer doors which reduce energy use, and digital shelf labels.

Tasman mayor Tim King says the new store reflects locals’ love of the environment and passion for forward thinking.

Countdown aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 63% by 2030 (against its 2015 baseline), the company discussing the role of EVs in its sustainability commitments in April’s EVs and Beyond magazine.

Click here for more on Countdown’s sustainability plan.