Renewable energy
Electricity
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 20px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.container img {
max-width: 100%;
height: auto;
border-radius: 0px;
}
/* New Class for Easy Resizing */
.resizable-image {
width: 40%; /* Change this value to adjust the image width */
}
.text {
flex: 1;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.container {
flex-direction: column;
text-align: center;
}
/* Adjust image width on smaller screens if needed */
.resizable-image {
width: 80%;
}
}
We are committed to the use of green electricity. We actively seek to reduce our overall energy usage through efficiency programmes and self-generate our power where practicable.
In some locations we are also now offering EV charging to our colleagues and customers.
In May 2024 we commenced a green electricity contract in Belgium which means all Group stores are now powered by zero carbon electricity. In accordance with our strategy for reaching operational net zero by 2035, we have continued to introduce solar photovoltaic panels on our new stores where possible; our installed potential generation capacity was just under 0.55MW at the end of FY2024. By the end of FY2025, we anticipate the installed potential to be approaching 1MW.
Lighting
Over the last five years, we have continued to optimise our UK lighting consumption. Following the installation of motion-sensitive LED lighting throughout communal areas, we are now upgrading the lighting within our larger units. To date, during FY2023/24, we have replaced the lighting in over 310 storage units. We will continue this evolution of LED lighting as customers vacate units.
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 20px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.container img {
max-width: 50%;
height: auto;
border-radius: 0px;
}
.text {
flex: 1;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.container {
flex-direction: column;
text-align: center;
}
}
During this year, we have completed an upgrade of our lift lighting. All UK stores now have LED lighting within the lift cars and shafts.
In France, we have completed the internal LED lighting upgrades, and are now replacing all exterior lighting, including high consumption fluorescent tubes, with motion-sensitive LED lighting.
Gas
In 2020, we committed to eliminating gas usage by 2030 from our UK stores; this will be achieved by installing high-output, low-energy electric heaters, which are more efficient than water radiators, reducing consumption of and demand for electricity.
The benefits of removing gas from our stores are wide-ranging and include:
- a reduction in the CO2 output attributed to Safestore
- lower maintenance costs as electric heating systems are more reliable
- no requirement for carbon monoxide testing
- protection against volatile gas prices
Since last year’s report we have eliminated gas in a further six stores. This work has resulted in a like-for-like drop in gas usage in the UK from 1,862 MWh to 1,579 MWh, a reduction of 15.2%. We continue to work towards our 2030 target, removing gas in at least five stores per year.
In France and Spain, we no longer use gas in our stores. The gas used in our other European stores is for the purposes of heating reception areas and supplying hot water. Wherever possible, we have purchased CO2-compensated gas contracts to minimise the impact of our gas usage whilst we review the option of removing gas across the remainder of the estate.
Water
Our stores consume relatively low volumes of water, and we strive to minimise our consumption wherever possible through the installation of efficiency schemes such as flow rate restrictors, aerators, and push button taps.
Proactive maintenance and reactive responses also mean that the likelihood and impact of events such as leaks and associated waste are mitigated wherever possible.
In the UK we have recently enlisted the support of our water retailer to complete store audits helping us identify any further opportunities.
Merchandise
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 20px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.container img {
max-width: 50%;
height: auto;
border-radius: 0px;
}
.text {
flex: 1;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.container {
flex-direction: column;
text-align: center;
}
}
We are proud to sell Safestore branded merchandise across the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain. Our branded boxes are made from 100% recycled materials and are fully recyclable.
We continue to offer our ‘box for life promise’, ensuring the boxes can be recycled in a responsible way.
In France, our merchandise is made from paper sourced from sustainably managed forests and deliveries are made using hybrid vehicles.
The use of fully recycled paper across this range, including boxes, has resulted in approximately 480 trees saved from being felled this year. We are committed to ensuring our merchandise packaging contains no single-use or non-biodegradable plastics.
Working with our supplier, Ecopac Macfarlane, we endeavour to minimise the carbon footprint of deliveries with items dispatched from local depots and distribution centres across Europe.
Goods not for resale
At the start of 2023 we commenced a new UK contract with Lyreco which provides our teams with office, stationery, and maintenance supplies. As part of this work, we consolidated our supply base reducing the number of deliveries to our stores and simplifying our ordering processes - all whilst achieving improved commercial terms.
Over 30% of Lyreco deliveries are made with zero emission vehicles1 and we continue to review our product assortment on an ongoing basis to seek greener alternatives where practicable. Following our successful launch in the UK, we have expanded Lyreco’s coverage to include the Netherlands, and Lyreco has supplied our French teams for three years.
Operational waste
Since May 2022, we are pleased to confirm that, in partnership with Veolia, all UK operational waste has been successfully diverted from landfill.
Following a comprehensive analysis of waste composition in the UK, we introduced a new cardboard and paper waste service to replace our existing dry mixed recycling. This targeted approach improves our operational efficiency, reduces costs, and continues to support 100% landfill diversion.
To further control and reduce waste volumes across our stores, we actively monitor and implement site-specific measures. For example, in both France and the UK, we restrict access to waste containers to prevent unauthorised third-party use. In Belgium, our waste service provider Renewi has also achieved 100% landfill diversion, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable waste management across multiple regions.
In central European locations, some waste collections are managed by local councils or municipalities, limiting visibility of our outputs on waste in certain areas. Nevertheless, we remain committed to minimising our environmental footprint by reducing single-use materials wherever possible and promoting recycling across our stores.
New store development – construction waste and recycling
In the UK, our Lea Bridge store is on track to meet our target of diverting 100% of construction waste from landfill. Across our European operations, we have set a goal of achieving 98% landfill diversion within the next 24 months as part of our commitment to responsible waste management.
In the UK, we have partnered with the Community Wood Recycling charity (“CWR”) to ensure that wood waste from our construction sites is re-used. We require our principal contractors to set aside all waste wood for collection by CWR, which repurposes it into a range of garden products, from flowerbeds to benches and tables. By collaborating with CWR, we are not only reducing landfill waste but also supporting community-based re-use initiatives that develop skills for the many volunteers who work with it.
As a Group, we are dedicated to recycling or recovering 100% of soft and hard plastics from our construction projects. We continue to work closely with our suppliers to reduce the amount of plastic packaging arriving at our sites and to further decrease plastic usage over the coming years. We are committed to phasing out all non-essential plastic products by 2030 as part of our ongoing sustainability journey.
Vehicle fleet
Across the last year we have continued to invest in, and modernise, our Company-owned fleet of cars.
In the UK, we source modern plug-in hybrid electric vehicles capable of delivering the business needs on a day-to-day basis and helping us achieve greener transport goals.
Longer term we are looking to transition our entire fleet to fully electric vehicles subject to practicability and vehicle availability across all territories.
Reducing emissions in the wider economy
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 20px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.container img {
max-width: 100%;
height: auto;
border-radius: 0px;
}
.text {
flex: 1;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.container {
flex-direction: column;
text-align: center;
}
}
Through the provision of DHL ServicePoints in the UK, and Amazon and IKEA lockers in Spain, our stores play a role in reducing the number and frequency of doorstep deliveries and collections.
By consolidating shipments and minimising transport requirements, we are facilitating a reduction in the carbon footprint in the wider economy.
Refill
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 20px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.container img {
max-width: 100%;
height: auto;
border-radius: 0px;
}
.text {
flex: 1;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.container {
flex-direction: column;
text-align: center;
}
}
Across many of our UK stores, we partner with Refill, a campaign to promote the use of reusable bottles and containers for drinking water.
As a result, Safestore has helped to contribute to saving an estimated 60 million bottles2 from entering our community waste streams.
Voltage optimisation
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 20px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.container img {
max-width: 20%;
height: auto;
border-radius: 0px;
}
.text {
flex: 1;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.container {
flex-direction: column;
text-align: center;
}
}
Voltage optimisation is a smart and proactive approach to manage electricity consumption by controlling the incoming voltage supplied to electrical equipment. Average UK voltage is 242V, around 10% higher than equipment requires.
This higher voltage not only leads to increased energy consumption, but also results in higher electricity bills and unnecessary wear and tear on electrical appliances.
Voltage optimisation lowers the incoming voltage to a level that is more suitable for the electrical equipment’s efficient operation. By optimising their voltage, businesses can achieve significant energy savings and reduce their carbon emissions, making a positive impact on the environment.
Voltage optimisation systems are installed between the incoming electrical supply and the electrical equipment, acting as a buffer. These systems monitor the voltage levels and adjust them to ensure a consistent and optimal voltage range.
The optimisation process involves stepping down the voltage when it exceeds the desired range and slightly boosting when it falls below the required level. This way, electrical equipment receives a steady, regulated supply of voltage, maximising its efficiency and lifespan.
In 2022 we installed our largest voltage optimiser at our Battersea Ingate site. This has now had one full year of amortisation and our consumption has dropped by a year to date average of 17.3%.
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (“MEES”)
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 prohibit landlords from letting a property with an EPC rating of below E unless an exemption applies. This is relevant to our UK locations with lettable offices and non-self storage space.
The prohibition has applied to new tenancies for residential properties since 1 April 2020 and has applied to commercial properties from 1 April 2018. Since 1 April 2023, landlords cannot continue to let properties that fall below an EPC rating of ‘E’. It is currently unlawful for landlords to grant a new tenancy of, or continue to let, commercial property with an EPC rating of ‘F’ or ‘G’. This applies to both new leases and renewals (unless an exemption applies, and the landlord has registered that exemption). MEES does not apply to lettings of six months or less, or to lettings of 99 years or more. From April 2027, the Government is proposing to change the minimum standard to a ‘C’ rating as an interim step followed by a minimum standard of ‘B’ from 1 April 2030. This has been consulted on but not yet confirmed by legislation.
Safestore identified 38 locations (storage centres which include lettable offices and/or non-self storage space) where we would have the requirement to have a MEES energy performance survey conducted.
Since 2021/22, these stores have been surveyed by external independent assessors and the findings are that the majority are already compliant with the Government’s proposed 2027 requirements of a ‘C’ rating. Just seven properties were identified as needing improvements to meet the 2027 standard, and we are confident that this can be achieved with modest capital investment. The readiness of the portfolio for the 2027 standard is a consequence of the work undertaken to date in the form of LED lighting upgrades, window and insulation enhancements, and the recent drive to install high efficiency electric heating.
In our European geographies there is new emerging legislation. The key legislation is the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2024 and the EU Energy Efficiency Directive 2024. This is an outline framework which requires each geography within the EU to implement a regime compliant with the overarching framework. We will continue to monitor how each geography intends to respond to the regulations at national level and what that means for our portfolio.
Notes:
1Sustainable Development Goals | Lyreco UK and Ireland
2https://www.refill.org.uk/about/
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 20px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.container img {
max-width: 50%;
height: auto;
border-radius: 0px;
}
.text {
flex: 1;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.container {
flex-direction: column;
text-align: center;
}
}
.container {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 20px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.container img {
max-width: 50%;
height: auto;
border-radius: 0px;
}
.text {
flex: 1;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.container {
flex-direction: column;
text-align: center;
}
}
