Tesco opens eco-friendly hypermarket in Alor Star

TESCO Malaysia has opened its first environmentally-friendly hypermarket costing RM80 million which has been fitted with energy-saving initiatives in Mergong, Alor Star.

"What we must do is better manage our carbon emission and focus on saving energy in every aspect,” said the company’s corporate and legal affairs director, Azlam Shah Alias, at a press conference in conjunction with the opening.

Apart from bringing a new shopping experience to the city, the eco-friendly hypermarket also offers a wide range of products for household consumption at low prices, Azlam Shah said.

"Our hypermarket is using freezer covers to reduce energy wastage, energy-saving bulbs, self-closing taps and airlocks to maintain the cold because 60 per cent of the energy consumption is contributed by air conditioning,” he said.

Azlam Shah said the store would be using motion detectors for lighting which could save up to 50 per cent of energy.

Tesco would also designate a staff member to act as an “energy champion” at each outlet to ensure that all the energy-saving initiatives and policies are being implemented accordingly, he said.

"We have spent RM2.2 million on this initiative because we are committed to do what we can to preserve the environment for our future generation and hope to influence positive behavioural change in the community,” he added.

Azlam said Tesco had also initiated a competition called “Energy League"

among its stores nationwide.

"The store that manages best its energy usage based on set key performance indicators will win a trophy and its a fun way to inculcate good habits and create awareness among staff,” he said.

By Bernama