Energy and other green saving initiatives are an ongoing exercise, even for a building like Canal Walk Shopping Centre which already has a higher energy efficiency than older constructions.
“Ensuring that Canal Walk Shopping Centre is managed in an environmentally responsible manner, reducing both energy consumption and waste, as well as re-using and recycling wherever possible, is a major priority for our operations team,” says Canal Walk General Manager, Gavin Wood.
The number and extent of energy saving projects implemented at Canal Walk certainly positions the centre far ahead of others in terms of embracing the principles of striving for proactive energy efficiency. This includes the saving on electricity by changing parking lights to energy saving bulbs and making use of a Building Management System which controls the aircon consumption.
Canal Walk uses non-potable water for irrigation, aircon cooling towers and toilet flushing purposes. Canal Walk has installed waterless urinal systems in the centre’s toilet banks.
Food waste is separated and treated onsite in an in-vessel composter before being taken to a registered site for the composting process to be completed thereby diverting this waste from landfill sites.
In August 2020, the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) awarded Canal Walk a 5-Star Green Star EBP v1 Rating. Canal Walk is the first Super Regional shopping centre in South Africa to be awarded a 5-star rating by the Green Building Council, attesting to the fact that the operations and management of Canal Walk are efficient and maintain optimal performance. Canal Walk achieved the 5-Star Green Star Rating for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at achieving high performance in management, indoor environmental quality, energy, transport, water, land use and ecology, as well as emissions.
We are constantly seeking opportunities to enhance the energy efficiency of Canal Walk and testing and assessing equipment, facilities and initiatives which are increasingly being brought to market as a result of the increased awareness and demand for ‘green’ property management.
