Aldi Supermarket in Derbyshire installs green façade of 60 m2
- MobiPanel living wall
- Location: Derbyshire
Derbyshire’s brand new Aldi Supermarket, which spans 1,800 square metres, opened in April 2022 by Paralympic GB gold medallist Para canoeist Emma Wiggs. The new retail store provides 40 new jobs, servicing the local community. They’ve placed a green façade on their supermarket to contribute to a greener area.
Integration of more sustainability credentials and increased landscaping across the site were elements on the wish list of the Derby City Council’s Planning Control Committee. The planted green façade on the store blends into the local landscape with a MobiPanel wall of 60 square metres by Mobilane. The wall was designed and installed by Oasis Plants.
A firm believer in green
Aldi is a firm believer in biodiversity and trains staff on the importance of pollinators. They currently maintain a bee hotel and wildflower meadow at its headquarters in Warwickshire. And they are running biodiversity trials on farms to ensure bees have access to all year-round forage and safe habitats. Aldi wants to do as much as possible to look after the environment. For example the company been carbon neutral since 1 January 2019, and they generate their electricity by renewable sources. Aldi also places great importance on providing a healthy working environment and improving the quality of working lives for all their employees.
Benefits of a green facade
The green façade is one way to show Aldi’s interest in a better environment, as it has many benefits. Plants improve air quality, and especially hedera reduces fine dust by 40 – 60%. Greenery also stimulates biodiversity, as many bugs, butterflies and birds can find shelter or food in the plants. More greening of urban areas also improves a sense of well-being, and it cools and regulates the environment.
The plants have been planted in an eye-pleasing pattern using Pachysandra, Carex, Liriope, Polypodium, Heuchera and Hedera. Aldi said they were extremely happy with the end result and that they’ve had many compliments.
