Liverpool ONE becomes first retail destination to use patented recycling facility
Liverpool ONE has become the first retail destination to introduce a new sustainability facility, with the installation of a Mobile Segregation Unit (MSU).
The patented system is set to significantly boost recycling rates across the Liverpool scheme, with the destination aiming to recycle 90% of waste by 2025, improving on its current rate of 41%.
Supplied by The Green Block, the MSU sorts waste into fifteen individual streams instead of the current five, allowing more items to be recycled, and giving brands a better range of options for recycling commercial waste.
The MSU also enables the digital tracking of waste, which became UK law in April 2024 and will be mandatory by April 2025, with access to real-time waste data available via the Plaza technology system.
Previously, the MSU has only been used at major transport hubs in the UK, meaning the Liverpool ONE launch marks the first time the technology has been adopted within a retail-led destination.
Liverpool ONE has consistently met industry standards on waste management and maintained a ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ status. Every year, the scheme keeps 2,560 tonnes of waste out of landfill, efforts which are set to be further bolstered by the introduction of the MSU.
Chris Jukes, Grosvenor’s director of Liverpool ONE, said: “Liverpool ONE has consistently demonstrated it is at the forefront of the industry. The installation of the MSU is another example of Grosvenor’s pioneering approach, and will bring significant environmental and operational benefits. Grosvenor is committed to maintaining an agile and proactive approach to reaching environmental goals, and initiatives like the MSU at Liverpool ONE are a crucial next step in contributing to a greener, healthier future.”
Josh Katz, general manager of the MSU division at The Green Block, added: “At TGB we are committed to delivering safe and sustainable solutions. We are delighted to be supporting Liverpool ONE in its sustainability journey, leading the way among retail and entertainment destinations. The arrival of the MSU will increase waste recycling rates and reduce carbon emissions backed by data-driven reporting.”
The new MSU is the latest in a series of commercial sustainability initiatives undertaken by Liverpool ONE since it opened. This has included the installation of solar panels, the housing of 80,000 bees on the roof, and the construction of two ‘bug hotels’ on Chavasse Park to encourage biodiversity. Chavasse Park has been consistently awarded the Green Flag award for being one of the UK’s best-maintained green spaces.
Liverpool ONE recently announced that in 2024, 15 brands have invested in the scheme through new openings and upsizings.
