Environment

1988 - Packaging Claims and Product Policy
A new policy is introduced to reduce the environmental impact of Co-op Brand products where possible without affecting performance or price. The Co-op will not use 'Environment Friendly' or other such meaningless claims on Co-op Brand products.

1988 - Recycling
The recycling symbol is used on certain goods and the recycled content is detailed on pack. The recycling facilities at retail outlets are extended. Where safe and practical, Co-op Brand packaging is made from recycled materials.

1990 - CFC's
Aerosol retailers and manufacturers endorse safer alternatives by following the lead of the Co-op, which switched its stock of aerosols to alternative gases in 1987.

1990 - Launch of Environ-CIS' Ethical Fund
The CIS Environ Trust invests customers' money in companies which are positively involved in improving the environment, the quality of life and enhancing human health and safety. Before any investment is made, a company is examined to make sure that it meets the Trust's positive criteria. It is then assessed to ensure that it is not active in an area the Trust avoids - animal testing (unless for human or animal health), armaments, tobacco, the generation of nuclear power and countries where human rights are disregarded.

1992 - Pesticides
After pioneering the use of integrated crop management (ICM) on its own farms, the Co-op joins with other retailers and farmers to develop crop protocols. These are designed to minimise the use of chemicals, whilst providing safe food at affordable prices.

1996 - Bag it and Bin it
The Co-op supports the campaign to Bag It and Bin It, which highlights the damaging effects that careless disposal of personal hygiene products can have on the environment. Therefore where applicable Co-op Brand products carry the bold heading 'BAG IT AND BIN IT - Don't flush it' and recommend that all insoluble products are 'bagged' and 'binned' and not flushed down the toilet.

1996 - World Wildlife Fund Group
The Co-op joins WWF 95 + Group. The group has a broad membership and is committed to sourcing wood from well managed sources and ensuring the well being of the native population. The criteria are set by the Forestry Stewardship council.

1997 - Species champion
The Co-operative Bank, working with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), becomes a species champion for the Bittern, which, in 1997, had a population of just 13 territorial males in the UK. All proceeds from the RSPB credit card, which is run in conjunction with the Bank, go to the charity's Wetlands in Danger project.

1998 - Marine Stewardship Council
The Co-op registers support for the Marine Stewardship Council and works together to ensure sustainable marine fisheries by promoting responsible, environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable fishing practices.

1999 - Genetics
Reflecting our customers' concerns over GM food, we change our policy to reflect customer opinion. Co-op brand suppliers are told not to use GM ingredients, therefore no Co-op brand food products will be made from any GM ingredients or ingredients derived from a GM source.

1999 - Lindane
Co-op suppliers are the first to be told to ensure that Lindane is not being used as an agricultural treatment for fresh produce or Co-op Brand products sold in its stores. This follows mounting concerns over the effects of the chemical on human health. A halt is called to the use of Lindane on the 85,000 acres of land the Co-op farms. Lindane is eliminated from domestic gardening products sold in its stores.

2000 - Green mortgages
The Co-operative Bank re-enters the mortgage market with a low-cost flexible home loan, which has several 'green' features. For the duration of the mortgage, the Bank makes an annual donation to Climate Care, a scheme developed following extensive consultation with the environmental community, including the World Wildlife Fund and Forum for the Future, to help tackle global warming.

2000-2001 - 100% recycled
The Co-operative Group introduce Closing the Loop', a comprehensive head office recycling scheme, collecting materials such as paper, card, cans, plastic cups and toner cartridges. For Co-op 100% Recycled Toilet Tissues and Co-op 100% Recycled Kitchen Towels our scrap office wastepaper, previously sent to landfill in the general waste stream, is now collected, recycled and, via our paper product suppliers, made into these products.

2000 - Green and Pleasant Land
As part of our Food Crimes initiative, we turn the spotlight on consumers' mistrust of agrochemicals. As a result of our inquiries, we ban over 20 pesticides used for food production worldwide amid rising consumer concerns about the impact on human health and the environment of chemical residues. The groundbreaking move comes with a challenge to governments, the EU, the agrochemical industry and other retailers to embark on a radical rethink of pesticide safety and regulatory controls.

2000 - Non GM feed to livestock
We become the first major retailer to ensure that all its fresh pork comes from pigs fed on a diet that contains no GM Soya. The move comes amid continuing consumer unease about GM material in animal feed.

2000 - Environment Management System
The Co-op is committed to introducing a co-ordinated environmental management system (EMS) across its family of businesses. A pilot programme is currently underway in Co-op Travelcare, Britain's largest independent travel agent, and provides a useful insight into the practices of managing the environmental impact of a multi-site retail operation.

2001 and 2002 - Green Apple Awards
The Co-op's commitment to the environment is rewarded by receiving a Green Apple Award in 2001 for the Closing the Loop scheme outlined above and also in 2002 in recognition of its policy to reduce pesticides.

2002 - Friends of the Earth
We come top in a league table produced by Friends of the Earth highlighting the action supermarkets have taken to reduce the use of chemicals in the production of food. The environmental pressure group recognises similar work we have undertaken on non-food products, including household goods and furniture.

2002 - Degradable Bags
The first Co-op launches Britain's first 100% degradable carrier bag, to help reduce landfill waste. Although the Co-op bags are 100% degradable, they are just as strong as non-degradable carrier bags and can still be reused. This move was supported by instore point of sale encouraging reuse.

2003 - CO2 conscious car loan
The Co-operative Bank launches a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) conscious car loan, which helps offset some of the 3.1 tonnes of CO2 generated each year by the average car. For each car loan taken out, the Bank makes a donation to Climate Care to help tackle global warming.

2003 - Safer chemicals campaign
The bank supports WWF's Safer Chemicals Campaign on persistent and bio-accumulative chemicals. These chemicals don't readily break down and tend to build up in living things, contaminating the environment, wildlife and ourselves.

2003 - Blueprint for 'greener' farming
farmcare's watershed report recommends that the farming industry moves away from conventional methods to a more environmentally friendly system. The 'Focus on Farming Report' summarises the results of a decade-long trial on a 150 ace site in Leicestershire. Farmers are urged to ditch labour intensive methods in favour of an integrated farm management approach, after the trial shows it uses 50% fewer pesticides and 40% less fungicides.

2003 - 'No' to Genetic Modification
Food Retail, farmcare and The Co-operative Bank join forces to say 'No' to Genetic Modification, in particular the commercial growing of GM crops in the UK. The initiative follows a membership and customer survey of attitudes to GM in the wake of the Government's public consultation exercise and the publication of its crop trial results.

2003 - Carbon Trust
We sign a partnership agreement with the Carbon Trust who will work with us over the next three years to help reduce our CO2 emissions.

2003 - CNG
The Co-operative Group becomes the largest fleet user of compressed natural gas (CNG) distribution vehicles.

2004 - Environmental Management Manual for farms
farmcare launches a manual to help its farms across the UK adopt best practice to protect and enhance the environment. The Environmental Management Manual is a guide to complying with environmental legislation, but also offers practical information on further steps they can take to reduce environmental impact and improve the countryside.