Pretoria - While completing its redevelopment during 2015 and 2016, Menlyn Park Shopping Centre decided on a building with sustainability that could last in the long run.
The centre has a solar installation, water conservation and electric vehicle charging stations for customers.
Marketing manager Andrea Van Schoor said the drive was a continuation of the redevelopment plan for a more sustainable building.
“We are a large building and it was very important for us to look at sustainability plans.
“Sustainability is the main core for the owner of the building, so it was very important that we aligned with that.”
The shopping centre harvests rainwater, practises water-wise landscaping, and has low-flow sanitary fittings in place.
With solar installation addition to the sustainability programmes, Van Schoor said it was crucial for the centre to lower its energy consumption.
To continue impacting positively on the environment, Van Schoor said the centre has various activities to spread awareness about sustainability.
“It is not really like an awareness campaign currently. We do have the annual earth hour, and are looking at education around how our customers can reduce carbon footprint.”
Education and awareness is done on their social media pages, encouraging customers to positively impact on the environment.
Van Schoor said they did have a lot of retailers focused on the concept of sustainability.
“One of the things that we will always suggest to our shoppers is to know and understand where the products they are buying come from.
“We encourage them to buy locally produced items, and we have a lot of upcoming local designers in our mall. Buying their products means saving a lot.”
Van Schoor said they were most proud of their electric vehicle charging stations, which were free to use by customers.
She said: “The shopping centre has 13 electric vehicle charging bays.”
It also has a rooftop farm belonging to Andile Matukane, which was started in early January: “It is a hydroponic farm, meaning the produce grows in water and not in soil, and it uses less water.”
The produce is organic, no pesticides are needed because of the plastic tents it grows in.
“The farm has vegetables such as lettuce and spring onions. Matukane is supported by a lot of our tenants who have ongoing orders with her.
“It is a source of income for Matukane, and customers get to enjoy their healthier meals,” said Van Schoor.
She said they were looking at supporting Matukane on longer-term basis.
“We want to see her grow and it is something that we are definitely excited about.”
Pretoria News