Crest Cooperative has announced that they are now operating an electric vehicle, the first in the organisation’s fleet.
With support from the National Lottery, Crest has purchased our first electric van and installed fast charging equipment at Crest’s Reuse Hub. This fast-charging station is hooked up to the solar panels already installed at the site to further reduce reliance of the national grid and fossil fuels used to generate electricity.
This state-of-the-art vehicle will be carrying out food donation collections to support the Foodbank operated by Crest whilst also allowing for food parcels to be delivered in emergency circumstances, to further combat food poverty in the local area and support those in need in our local community.
Rod Williams, Managing Director, of Crest Cooperative said:
“We are incredibly excited to see our first electric vehicle on the road across Conwy County. As an organisation we know the importance of playing our part in limiting our own carbon footprint. We also know how we must all work together to reduce our environmental impact, including through re-use and recycling, whilst also reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and other climate damaging materials.
“This vehicle is the next step in our mission to do more and go further in protecting our environment whilst also supporting our Foodbank reach and even more people across the community who are struggling and possibly at risk of food poverty.
“Additionally, this vehicle will be supporting us in our popular free kerbside collection services for textiles, small electrical items and coffee pods across Conwy County. This will allow us to continue to deliver this free service to the residents of Conwy and save even more of these items from landfill each year!
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend our thanks to the National Lottery for their support and investment, which has allowed us to purchase our first electric vehicle.”
With its £407,948 National Lottery grant, Crest Cooperative will develop Crest Food Share to meet the ever-increasing demand for food assistance in Conwy County, as well as developing their Happi-Tat high street reuse store in Llandudno.
Eirian Pierce Jones, Funding Officer at The National Lottery Community Fund, said:
“Projects like these are vital to support people and improve lives in north Wales, whilst also creating communities that are environmentally sustainable. The Fund is dedicated to helping charities and organisations meet the increased costs and pressure on the services they offer.”