Marks & Spencer is opening a new, sustainable UK branch, made entirely out of recycled products, reports The Construction Index.

The Simply Food site in Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, will become one in a new chain of Sustainable Learning stores, used to further the retailer’s understanding of green techniques and processes to help move the group toward their ultimate goal of being the world’s most sustainable retailer.

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Eco-friendly store

The eco-friendly store, which opens next month, has been constructed entirely out of recycled materials, hence it could be 100 per cent recycled if and when the store is no longer needed.

The bricks have been reclaimed from an old mill, concrete has been polished to negate the need for additional flooring. The sun’s rays will light up the store, with LED lighting when this does not suffice.

Rainwater will be harvested to flush toilets and a ‘living wall’ using eco building cladding will cover the store’s shell.

A first for a UK store, electric car charging points will be installed in the car park to encourage sustainable transport. In addition, bike sheds will be made from FSC certified wood.

Sustainability within construction

Paul King, of the Green Building Council said to building.co.uk: “Sustainability is increasingly important in the construction and property sector and major companies like M&S have a crucial role in driving that process, particularly given the relationship not just with suppliers, but also with consumers.”

Currently undergoing FSC certification, the site has already been awarded a Considerate Constructors Scheme score of 37.5 out of 40 and is likely to achieve an a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent,’ according to The Construction Index.