How will The Society cover the cost for this sustainability initiative?

Given our member-owned model, this is a pertinent question, and we will be open and transparent about our plans as they progress. It’s important to emphasise that a number of the measures we are planning will actually provide significant financial savings. Our solar panels, for example, will pay for themselves in just over six years and with a lifespan of more than 25 years, will make a significant ongoing saving against our electricity costs. Currently these generate between 30-40% of our requirements and have additional panels planned that will help us reach 60-70%. Other activities will enable us to reduce the amount we pay in future waste taxes or will add significant value to the membership, for example by making additional product information available to help inform purchasing decisions.