Environment

Waste

The disposal of waste, largely generated by our retailers, is a major environmental impact over which we can exert a positive influence, and we continue to make every effort to improve our management of this area of our business. Effective waste management also serves to reduce our carbon footprint, as outlined in [weblink to carbon footprint section]

In 2007, our 11 centres ( Eldon Square does not presently manage its waste) handled 22,959 tonnes of waste, of which 39% was recycled, 19% incinerated with energy recovery and the remaining 42% was landfilled. A summary of trends in waste management indicators over the past four years is provided in the Performance Indicators section. Waste data at our directly managed centres is provided by a specialist contractor, and is subject to our internal audit procedures, whilst Arndale and Cribbs Causeway have also been audited during the past two years as part of our verification process.

All Centres have an individual recycling performance target, and progress against these are summarised in the tables below. Some specific examples of the efforts and successes made at each centre are summarised in the summary table below. The focus for 2008 is to maintain and improve on these recycling rates, whilst working with retailers to encourage not only further recycling, but to increasingly work towards waste minimisation.

Each Centre received a waste audit during the first half of 2007, and has now been provided with bespoke advice and guidance on how best to further increase recycling over and above the high level already achieved. Plans are also advanced to gain improved buy-in from our outsourced service partners to assist us in waste minimisation and recycling.

We are shortly to commence benchmarking visits to around 25 of our key retail tenants, at Head Office level, and the environment is on the agenda of these visits. As a result we hope to improve the ways in which we work with our retail tenants to recycle waste and conserve energy.

At the office properties, including our head office, Capital & Counties continues to promote waste recycling and encourages its occupiers to participate accordingly. In-built recycling facilities are introduced at all new developments and major refurbishments.