The Green Retailer Award

This award is open to retailers with 50+ full time employees on the island of Ireland with a policy on green procurement and local sourcing of goods; online retailers are also eligible. Please let us know how your retail operation delivers its services in an environmentally and sustainable manner. Entry is by a 5-page A4 PDF submission; the judges will be looking for a clear plan and evidence that it is delivering on core objectives, paying particular attention to the criteria listed below.

• Organisation Overview: Provide a brief description of your retail operation, including size, location, and the scope of your services. Explain how sustainability is integrated into your business model.
• Green Procurement & Sourcing: Describe your policies and practices for green procurement and local sourcing. Highlight how you select and manage suppliers to ensure sustainability.
• Sustainable Operations: Outline the specific actions you’ve taken to operate sustainably. This can include energy efficiency measures, waste reduction practices, sustainable packaging, etc.
• Impact & Results: Provide data on the outcomes of your sustainability initiatives, such as reductions in energy use, waste, or carbon footprint. Include any certifications or awards received.
• Customer Engagement: Explain how you communicate your sustainability efforts to customers and encourage them to participate in green practices. Provide examples of customer-facing initiatives or education programs.
• Future Sustainability Goals: Detail your future sustainability targets and plans. Describe how you aim to enhance your green practices and address any remaining challenges.
• Recycling & Waste Management: Describe the steps taken to reduce and recycle waste within your organisation.
• Use of Sustainable Materials: Describe any efforts to engage with “green” suppliers, or to source local, Irish, and sustainable products/materials, to ensure the achievement of your sustainability objectives.
• Bio-diversity / Improving Natural Habitats: Describe any activities your organisation has recently taken to conserve biodiversity, use biological resources sustainably, improve natural habitats.
• Energy / Water efficiency: Describe the steps your organisation has taken to improve energy efficiency and/or water efficiency.
• Sustainable Transport Initiatives: Describe any sustainable transport initiatives your organisation has taken, e.g., to reduce congestion, to green your fleet, or any other any other actions that result in fuel savings, CO2 emission reduction.
• Community Involvement: Describe how you engage with your community and support the local economy. Include any specific efforts your organisation has made to contribute to its surrounding environment or community.
• Staff Support: What commitment has been made to staff training and communication of your green initiatives? What is the level of senior management buy in? Does it form a central part of the culture?
• Bio - Diversity: Describe any activities your organisation has recently taken to conserve biodiversity, use biological resources sustainably, improve natural habitats.
• Community Engagement: Describe how you engage with your community and support the local economy. Include any specific efforts your organisation has made to contribute to its surrounding environment or community.
• Staff Engagement: What commitment has been made to staff training and communication of your green initiatives? What is the level of senior management buy in? Does it form a central part of the culture?