Greggs bakery tests water-saving loos

Greggs opens its first UK eco-shop

Popular UK bakery chain Greggs has opened its doors for the public to try a new eco-conscious shop featuring air-assisted, cistern-less toilets as part of 10 commitments to make the world a better place by 2025.

Greggs, famous for pioneering the vegan sausage roll, has installed the innovative loos in Great Billing, Northampton. They need only 1.5 litres of water per flush, reducing water use by up to 84% on traditional toilets - which can use as much as 12 litres.

They also have up to an 80% carbon footprint reduction compared to traditional toilets as less energy is needed for water and waste processing, helping Greggs implement effective and successful ways to reduce environmental impact.

Air-assisted, cistern-less toilets work by having two compartments, one for water and one for air. Before flushing, the lid is closed to form a seal activating a sensor which allows water to enter the pan followed by air to create pressure and remove contents.

"As a responsible business we have a duty to our customers and to our planet to change the world for the better."

Tony Rowson, Greggs

Acting as a testbed for multiple sustainability initiatives, the shop will include other features such as recyclable flooring, eco-ovens, heat pump air curtains, and solar control glass. All of the initiatives are focused on reducing water and energy consumption, and improving overall waste management.

Tony Rowson, property director at Greggs said, "We’re delighted to have launched our first eco-shop, in line with our Greggs pledge and net-zero commitments. As a responsible business we have a duty to our customers and to our planet to change the world for the better."

With this initiative, Greggs is showcasing the company's sixth commitment to customers, which is 'building the shops of the future'. If successful, some 250 shops will feature elements from the Great Billing test by the end of 2022.

Rowson added, "Looking to the future, our target is for a quarter of all Greggs shops to feature sustainable eco-shop elements, which could help us save tonnes of carbon from each of these shops every year."