Sustainability has become a hot topic and we have been trying to apply it to more and more aspects of our life and the economy. Of course, it also has a presence in the world of retail, more so in the past few years, as many players have begun setting their sights on it.
In light of questions that may arise in such a changing industry, we will discuss whether sustainability in the retail world is a simple fad or something that will last over time.
Examples of Sustainability in Retail
Sustainability is something that is being implemented globally in most developed countries. Concern about the conservation of the environment and our consumption of limited resources has caused more and more companies to make serious commitments to sustainability.
A well-known case is Mercadona in Spain. In Madrid, they are installing green roofs, planting gardens on the rooftops of some of their supermarkets in the city center, making a very interesting contribution in terms of sustainability and their neighbors’ quality of life. Similarly, in Seville, they took part in an interesting initiative together with ADIF, designing not only a green roof for their Plaza de Armas supermarket, but also a vertical garden covering one of the building’s sides. Mercadona is not the only company that is committing itself to sustainability. More and more Spanish companies have been profoundly and continually addressing issues related to environmental protection.
France is another country with such initiatives in place. There, the tendency towards sustainable visual equipment is becoming increasingly common. By the same token, a law has been passed which requires manufacturing companies to establish an end-use for the furniture they make, in order to determine whether it can be reused or recycled. In fact, there is an agency responsible for the collection of furniture, Valdelia, which has been operating since 2011 and collaborates with 13 companies that specialize in manufacturing professional furniture.
This commitment to sustainability is something that HMY also applies throughout the entire process of production, which has been a positive choice when it comes to fulfilling legal requirements.
If we look for specific examples of European companies with an increased commitment to sustainability, we can mention LVMH, which is developing the LIFE program (LVMH’s Initiatives for the Environment) including everything from plans aimed at the supply chain, to excellence in the production and design of lasting and repairable products.
In fact, the areas where they want this program to make the most impact are those related to carbon and energy management, their connection with clients and their collaboration with suppliers, in order to achieve results and have a greater impact when it comes to sustainability and protecting the environment.
At the international level, the European Union’s REACH, a regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals, should also be highlighted, as this regulation analyzes and assesses the danger of chemical substances that are part of our daily lives, not only in industrial processes, but also in everyday consumer items such as furniture, clothing and electronic devices, forcing companies to register all of the substances used in the manufacturing of these.
At HMY We Are Also Committed to Sustainability
HMY showcases its growing commitment to sustainability in retail, in order to promote the sustainable development and consumption of resources, which ensures compliance with the law, and protects both the workers and the final product.
In the same way, at HMY we utilize sustainable practices related to energy efficiency (insulation, air conditioning, and lighting), waste generation, the reduction of unsustainable raw materials (sheet metal, cardboard, plastic, and paint), a decrease of up to 24.5% of atmospheric emissions and also a 23% reduction of water consumption in the last five years.
Our motto is “In the past, you were what you had. Now, you are what you share,” and we enjoy being able to share a more sustainable world. It is not just a world that we will enjoy, but one that we will leave to future generations.
