The Midcounties Co-operative has been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard for its environmental credentials.

The independent certification is only granted to organisations that have demonstrated high standards of environmental sustainability surrounding energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and waste management.

The Society said it had worked closely with its members and colleagues to promote the importance of environmental awareness, and reduced its carbon footprint by 5.1% in 2013.

It has also increased its recycling from 37% to 75% over the past three years.

Midcounties Co-operative sustainability manager Mike Pickering said: “We are honoured to receive the Carbon Trust Standard certification, which is testament to our commitment to adopting new practices to significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

“As a co-operative, we are committed to best practice in social responsibility, and we are working closely with the Carbon Trust to continue our significant progress in this field,” he added.