Sustainability

Sustainability at Thistles Shopping Centre

At Thistles Shopping Centre, we are committed to building a more sustainable future for Stirling. With over 500,000 sq ft of retail space and more than 80 stores, we recognise the significant role we play in the community and the responsibility we have to operate in an environmentally responsible way.

Our approach is simple: reduce our environmental impact, improve efficiency, and create a greener, more sustainable shopping destination for our customers, retailers, and wider community.

Our Sustainability Targets

We have set ambitious, but achievable targets to reduce energy, water, and waste usage across the centre, ensuring that sustainability is embedded in everything we do, and how we operate:

Area: Electricity

Baseline (2024): 1,418,413 kWh

Target: 10% reduction

Target Year: 2025–26

Area: Waste & Recycling

Baseline (2024): 165.32 tonnes (78.06 tonnes recycled on site and with secondary recycling offsite)

Target: 1% reduction in overall waste & 1.5% increase in recycling

Target Year: 2025–26

Area: Water

Baseline (2024): 9,443 m³

Target: 3% reduction

Target Year: 2025–26

How We Will Achieve This

• Energy Efficiency – Replacing lighting across the car park with modern LED fittings and smart controls to reduce consumption.
• Waste & Recycling – Working closely with our retailers to improve waste segregation, increase recycling rates, and reduce the overall volume of waste generated.
• Water Conservation – Introducing flow restrictors to taps across the centre to reduce unnecessary water consumption.

These initiatives form part of our long-term plan to lower carbon emissions and ensure the centre operates more sustainably.

Our Commitment

At Thistles, we believe sustainability goes beyond operations. It is about creating a positive impact on Stirling by:

• Reducing our carbon footprint through smarter energy use.
• Supporting a circular economy by minimising waste and maximising recycling.
• Conserving natural resources with responsible water management.
• Engaging with our community and occupiers to raise awareness and encourage shared responsibility.

Looking Ahead at The Thistles,

Sustainability is a journey, and we are proud to be taking significant steps forward. By  summer 2026, Thistles will have reduced energy consumption, cut waste, improved recycling rates, and lowered water usage.

We are committed to keeping our customers, retailers, and community updated as we continue to make progress. Together, we are building a more sustainable future for Stirling, so please help us on this journey wherever you can.