Savills manages more than 2,600 commercial properties throughout Europe and we take a considered and structured approach to managing environmental impacts.

One recent success has been at Exeter's Princesshay Shopping Centre, a 49,000 sq m retail and leisure scheme owned jointly by The Crown Estate and TIAA Henderson Real Estate. A rise in leisure activities had led to an increase in food and drink-based waste, accounting for 25 per cent of all waste at the centre. Being very wet and heavy, it was also costly to dispose of.

Working with The Crown Estate, the centre installed three food waste digesters which allowed all food waste to be handled on site. The centre's retailers were already in the habit of segregating glass, cardboard, paper, plastic, metal and timber waste, so they easily adopted the initiative to also segretate food.

Since 2013, 232 tonnes of food waste have been recycled by the digesters annually, saving £12,250 in disposal costs every year and reducing environmental impact. Following the success of this initiative, Savills is considering food waste digester opportunities for other sites in England. Meanwhile, other initiatives used to improve recycling levels at our managed properties within the UK include:

• Implementing high-level hand sorting, where applicable.
• Educating retailers and occupiers, via tenant inductions and engagement.
• Using site specific education handbooks on waste, which provide a 'carrot and stick' rule book promoting correct segregation to all existing site staff and new customers.
• Working with our waste contractors to ensure they understand and implement our waste vision.
• Sending out newsletters to share knowledge on best practice waste management among all stakeholders.

In addition, all Savills property managers receive training on our strategy to eradicate landfill and increase average property recycling levels.

Further information

Contact Savills Environment and Sustainability