Responsible sourcing

From bread to deliveries, we’re making conscious decisions to make the services and products we offer more eco-friendly across our business areas.

43 electric vehicles

We’re investing in electric vehicles for our fleet, and now have 23 plug-in hybrid vehicles, eight mild hyrid vehicles, and 12 fully electric vehicles.

As technology develops, we will be looking to grow our eco-fleet further.

RCups

Alongside our Costa Express machines, we have a range of rCups on sale - the world’s first reusable cup made from recycled single-use coffee cups.

To reward those who make the switch, we offer our members 25p extra cashback when they bring a reusable cup. It’s simply added onto their dividend card at the till.

100% sustainable palm oil

All palm oil in our Co-op branded products is sustainably sourced through RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certification.

Our very own Gadsby’s bakery also uses sustainable palm oil.

34% of customers choose eco-coffins

More people are considering the environment when arranging their funerals, and our most affordable coffins are eco-friendly.

They are produced by LifeArt Earthcare, and are made from recycled wood pulp, which uses 80% fewer trees than a traditional coffin.

Inside each panel is a honeycomb structure that reduces the material used while being incredibly strong. Each coffin releases around 97% fewer harmful emissions when cremated, too.

Eco memorials

Our funeral homes offer a range of eco memorials, including:

Memory bears, using loved one’s clothing, which are produced in Grantham.

Bird boxes and owl boxes, which use British FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) wood and are produced by Hill Holt Wood, near Newark.

Wildflower seeds are given to all funeral clients.

FSC or PEFC certified paper

We have a paper purchasing policy to ensure that we’re only using products that are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest) certified.

Currently, we’re working with our suppliers such as printers and stationers to make sure that this is applied across the business.

FSC certified wood

All the wood we use as part of building new outlets is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified.

Degradable cards

Our new gift cards will be made from degradable PVC material, which is the best eco-option available to us currently.

We’ll be using the same material for future dividend card orders as well.

Green floristry

Our florists offer many sustainable options, including bee bomb gift sets and vases made from recycled materials.

The team are also keen to reduce waste, and collect any off cuts to create tiny bouquets which they leave for people to collect for free, as a small act of kindness.