Keele University Students’ Union Co-op has been chosen as one of six flagship stores which has been rebranded as Co-op26 in recognition of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) happening in Glasgow this month. 

Alongside stores in Glasgow, Manchester, and London, the Keele SU franchise store has had a Co-op26 makeover as part of a nationwide campaign to get people asking questions about how they can reduce their carbon emissions. 

In-store you will now see additional information about Co-op's climate credentials, alongside customer guidance on what changes you can make. 

“It is amazing to see our shiny new Co-op store chosen to be a flagship store as part of a nationwide campaign” said Keele SU’s Union Development & Democracy Officer Holly Brooks. 

“We chose to work with the Co-op as their values and vision really aligned with what our Students’ Union believes in and I am so happy to see students loving the new store, and to see such a big brand like the Co-op recognising Keele’s impressive sustainability credentials”. 

The Co-op26 campaign celebrates the Co-op's recently announced partnership with ‘Count us In’ which aims to encourage one billion people to take practical steps in their own lives to reduce carbon pollution. These steps include eating more plants, switching energy suppliers, cutting down on food waste, repairing and reusing appliances, and sharing experiences with friends and colleagues to raise awareness around climate action. Find out more about Count Us In here: https://www.count-us-in.org/en-gb/  

Co-op was the first British retailer to become a signatory of the UN’s ‘Our Only Future’ campaign and has led on plans to end the price disparity of vegan food and price match its plant-based range, GRO, to meat and dairy equivalents in store. 

You will also find in our Co-op store the soft plastic recycling scheme, which means all Co-op own brand food packaging is completely recyclable. 

To combat food waste, Co-op has a number of initiatives including its own food redistribution programme, Food Share, which shares food with local community organisations. Additionally, the Co-op has recently announced its partnership with environmental charity Hubbub to fast-track the expansion of community fridges across the UK. 

The new store on-campus opened at the start of September, bringing a wider retail offer to students, staff and the local community, plus with discounts via Co-op Membership and a student TOTUM card it supports you with getting value for money on those everyday essentials.  

To join Co-op and Count Us In and to make a pledge, visit: www.coop.co.uk/cop26. For more information on Co-op’s climate change action plan, visit: www.coop.co.uk/climate