The journey to sustainability is ongoing and it’s one that Rushden Lakes and it’s businesses are committed to. Here’s what we are already doing to support across four key areas:
WASTE
Responsible waste management is one of the cornerstone philosophies of Rushden Lakes and is at the heart of everything we do
We have a Waste Management policy in place that requires all staff and suppliers to comply with
Rushden Lakes does not send any waste to landfill, any unrecyclable waste is processed in a ‘Waste to energy’ facility
From 1st April 2022 Rushden Lakes introduced a managed waste system for our food & beverage businesses to improve recycling processes including segregation from food contamination
Waste creation and recycling levels are monitored on a monthly basis
We have both general waste bins and recycling bins for our staff and visitors
TRAVEL
We strive to make travelling to and from Rushden Lakes sustainable, active and easy
In 2021 we partnered with Brightwayz to update our active travel plan designed to reduce our carbon footprint and highlight sustainable travel, our partnership continues in 2022
Proudly the first shopping centre to achieve National STARS Accreditation and have been awarded with a Bronze level Modeshift STARS for our work on sustainable travel
We have POD Point charge points for electric vehicle charging which are free to use
Free to use cycle racks across the site
Bus stop with plenty of services running between Rushden Lakes and surrounding villages and towns
In June 2022 we offered a free cycle security marking and repair service for staff and visitors
We work closely with Stagecoach to review bus timetables and routes
Step-free access footbridge to make it easy to get here on foot from Rushden Town centre
Promote the use of the local greenway to encourage visitors to use walking and cycling routes
In September 2021 we held our first Sustainable Travel event, visitors were incentivised to travel car-free!
Running a trial of VOI electric scooters to encourage visitors to try out a solar powered mode of transport
ENVIRONMENT
We are proud of our environment and do our best to protect it
Rushden Lakes has an environmental team to ensure our areas are well kept and free from litter
Rushden Rangers takes place every summer in partnership with The Wildlife Trust – a free, family club that provides a great opportunity to get outdoors together! A time to learn about the local environment, how you can care for it and how to protect nature
Rushden Lakes has an environmental team to ensure our areas are well kept and free from litter
In February 2022 we gave away free seed balls to our visitors – seed balls are an easy and sustainable way to cultivate plants in a way that provides a larger window of time when the sowing can occur!
We have green roofs on 2 buildings and a large bank of solar PV arrays
Construction here was done with a 98% waste recycling target, which was met
Majority of our heating and cooling facilities have high energy efficiency ratings
Garden Square was created with nature in mind with bird boxes, bug hotels and late fruiting trees
COMMUNITY & CHARITY
Our community is very important to us and we recognise that we are a source of social connection
We have a community board on the boardwalk to highlight activities and events in our local area
We work closely with Rushden and Higham Ferrers Town Council to support and promote their activities and businesses
We host Heritage day once a year run by the local councils to raise awareness of the local area and local businesses
In 2020 we hosted our first Handmade & Vintage Fair and again in 2021 & 2022! The fair supports local, independent businesses
We welcome charities on site to raise awareness and collect donations, since opening we’ve welcomed over 20 to Rushden Lakes including Mind and The Poppy Appeal
In 2020 & 2021 over 100 gifts and donations were collected for Kettering General Hospital and Serve
Local businesses are able to use our community sheds for additional promotion
We run competitions regularly on our social media to give back to our community
On the last Sunday of every month we host a Food and Drinks fair run by Pop Up Planners
