Italy: Ecological supermarket by Sma

The first 100 % ecological supermarket of the Italian chain Sma has opened in Botticino near Brescia. The shopping carts are made from recycled plastic bottles, baskets by the caps of bottles, food stalls are made of wood, and shopping bags are made of recyclable plastic or cloth. The supermarket also has a roof with photovoltaic system, refrigeration equipment made from totally recycled plastic, and basins to collect rainwater for irrigation purposes. The products are supplied short chain mainly from the province of Brescia. Renewable energy provides savings of over 220,000 Kilowatt / hour. The warmth emerging from central cooling is reused to heat bath water, and the building has a heat insulating coat and natural light is used wherever possible. The artificial lighting is activated by cells that are light up when people are around. The parking lot is equipped with LED lights powered by photovoltaic panels. In an underground tank, rainwater is collected to water the garden and green areas.
 

And thanks to the collaboration with Legambiente and Cauto Cooperativa Onlus, Simply Sma has a plan to recover natural surrounding areas and a project of social solidarity. The first plan is the refurbishment of a health trail of 5 km - from St. Gallen to the top of Monte Maddalena - with botanical and geological peculiarities for sustainable mountain tourism, reports Greenplanet.
 
With the Cauto Cooperativa Onlus, an agreement  was signed that provides for products unfit for sale because of defects on the packaging or close to maturity to be transferred to voluntary associations. The shop Botticino is just the first example of the sustainable supermarket chain that Sma plans to open across Italy in the coming years, continuing the collaboration with Legambiente to redevelop and enhance a new piece of land each time.