York Uni stores tackle plastic and food waste in sustainability push

Nisa stores at the University of York are putting sustainability on top of their agenda with initiatives to tackle single use plastic and food waste.

The University of York has extended its range of loose fruit and vegetables, providing paper bags for fresh produce. Loose cereal, pasta, nuts and pulses are due to go into store in early March.

Electronic scales have been installed at the stores this month.

“Shoppers now have the option to buy products in a plastic bag or they can select loose fruit and veg, get it weighed and put it in a paper bag. It will also hopefully reduce food waste at the same time,” said Adam Viney, the University of York’s multiple site retail manager.

The electronic scales, installed by Nisa’s EPoS team at the Market Square and Kimberlow Rise sites at the University of York, link up to the Nisa Evolution EPOS solution with bar codes printed out on stickers that then scan in at the till.

“Initial sales are positive with loose fruit and veg both selling well, and it is another big tick in the box for our sustainability agenda,” said Adam.

“This is something the university has asked us to work on – being more sustainable and look at the use of renewable plastics – and so we are trying to get ahead of the game.”

Chris Chadwick, IT service delivery manager at Nisa, said: “Scales are easy to install, they just need power and network. The EPOS link is there so when a price is changed it will transmit relevant changes to the scales so there’s no need to change prices twice in different systems.

“It would be great to get more scales installed in Nisa partners’ stores this year to help reduce pre-packed wrap and plastic instore in the future.”