The review, which aimed to smash Queensgate's 60 per cent recycling target, was carried out as part of its commitment to becoming a "greener" centre by reducing the amount of waste it sends to landfill.

The independent review was carried out by environmental charity Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) and included a comprehensive audit of how waste is handled and disposed of throughout the centre.

Sarah Cooper, from PECT, who carried out the audit, explained: "A key part of this project was to analyse how much and exactly what is thrown away on a daily and weekly basis. I also provided training for store staff on how they can improve their individual recycling levels.

"The audit results were presented in a report to Queensgate management along with recommendations for further improvements. The centre's recycling rates are steadily increasing and store managers are feeding back what they have learned to their head offices."

Queensgate centre director Roger Hutchings said: "We are very aware of the growing problems that waste disposal creates for our environment and are 100 per cent committed to reducing Queensgate's contribution to landfill.

"With over 125 stores in Queensgate and Westgate Arcade, the audit was a massive undertaking and represents an important step in our long-term plans to make Queensgate one of the most environmentally-friendly shopping centres in the UK."

Store manager for BHS Angela Curchin received waste management training as part of the audit.

She said: "The project gave us a starting point to improve – educating and refocusing the team and helping us do things we hadn't previously considered. Since the project we have installed recycling facilities within the store and commissioned an environmental audit to understand our biggest environmental impacts."

Queensgate is committed to investing in initiatives that help the environment. Currently, the centre recycles an average of nine tonnes of cardboard a week – the equivalent weight of four or five family cars.

A new Plastic Bottle Recycling Point has also helped the centre reduce the amount of plastic it sends to landfill, while a recently installed automated lighting system which makes the most of natural sunlight has helped cut electricity consumption by 30 per cent compared to 2006.

External link:
Queensgate Shopping Centre - www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk.