With Environmental Reporting set to become a mandatory requirement for all UK businesses in 2025*, the incentive to run a greener business – and be able to demonstrate it – has never been stronger.
The National Association of Health Stores (NAHS) believes that if health food retailers act early to become ‘legislation-ready’ they can lead the ‘greening’ of local high streets.
NAHS joint-chair, Len Glenville, comments: “Health food retailers are already plugged in to the sustainability debate and often have a head start over the rest of the high street in areas such as responsible and local sourcing, and through offering a deep range of greener food choices such as organic and plant-based”.
“Health food retailers are already plugged in to the sustainability debate and often have a head start over the rest of the high street”
Now, the NAHS is teaming up with environmental impact specialist Greenleaf TDG to help health food retailers on their sustainability journey.
Explaining the new partnership, Glenville says: “We recognise that there are significant obstacles for individual retailers who want to undertake an environmental impact assessment of their business and create an action plan for the future; for example, the time involved, the cost, and simply not knowing where to start. So, we see clear advantages in being able to offer a ready made system.”
“We are delighted to announce that we have negotiated a 10% discount on a Green Audit of Sustainability for all NAHS members, including the awarding of the Greenleaf Certificate of Sustainability on successful completion”.
Andrew Woodward, managing director at Greenleaf TDG, said: “The team and I at Greenleaf are hugely excited about our partnership with NAHS, with so many health stores leading the transformation to a more sustainable model of business and consumerism, it’s amazing to be able to support and facilitate those who are pioneering change. Our services were originally developed around SMEs and the day to day issues that they faced, ensuring that transitioning to a sustainable business model not only added value but was cost and time effective. We’re looking forward to getting more involved with the NAHS and supporting your businesses in making the most out of being sustainable”.
Participating NAHS members will receive:
- A full sustainability audit
- Industry leading environmental reporting and expert advice
- Final report and goal-setting
- Awarding of Green Certificate of Sustainability
- A great message to share with store customers
- A quick and simple process for retailers – let Greenleaf do all the data crunching
‘Your Association, Your Voice’
This year, the NAHS, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2022, is on a mission to grow its membership and amplify the voice of health stores. It has identified enhanced sustainability as a key opportunity for health food retailers. Membership costs just £21 per month and joining is quick and easy – visit www.nahs.co.uk, click ‘Join Us’, and add to cart!
*In November 2020 the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the UK would be the first G20 country to make Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) aligned disclosures fully mandatory across the economy by 2025, going beyond the ‘comply or explain’ approach.