Supermarkets hold the key to a cooler, cleaner future

Column: First appeared in Supermarket News June 2025

By Cool-Safe, with contributions from leaders in the refrigeration and HVAC industry

As the climate conversation grows louder in boardrooms and communities, New Zealand’s supermarkets are stepping up by cutting emissions, reducing waste, and investing in cleaner operations. But one of the most powerful levers for climate action remains largely behind the scenes: refrigeration.

 Supermarket refrigeration is vital to food safety, product quality, and daily operations, but many systems still rely on synthetic refrigerants like HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). These are among the most potent greenhouse gases still in use and a single leak of HFC-can be equivalent to several tonnes of carbon emissions.

That’s why the industry is now shifting, fast, towards natural refrigerants such as CO₂, ammonia and hydrocarbons. These alternatives offer both environmental and operational benefits: lower emissions, greater efficiency, and long-term regulatory certainty.

At Cool-Safe, the organisation running New Zealand’s product stewardship scheme for refrigerants, we work with the HVACR industry to ensure these harmful synthetic gases are safely recovered and permanently destroyed.

Later this year regulations are expected to be in place that will require supermarkets and others which use synthetic refrigerants and synthetic refrigerant-containing machinery to register with the scheme and work with Cool-Safe or with a registered contractor for their safe management and disposal.

Product stewardship isn’t just about the end of a refrigerant’s life; it’s about managing risks and responsibilities across the entire life cycle.

“Supermarkets are uniquely placed to lead this shift and play a critical role in how refrigerants are managed throughout their lifecycle. When older systems are replaced or decommissioned, retailers can ensure any refrigerant is recovered by certified technicians and safely destroyed through Cool-Safe’s national network. This protects the environment and ensures sustainability claims are backed by meaningful, measurable action,” says Matthew Darby, Managing Director and Founder of Cold Energy Technology Group.

Leak mitigation is another essential area where supermarkets can make a significant impact. Even small refrigerant leaks can quietly undo the environmental and financial benefits of an energy efficient system. With regular maintenance, smart leak detection tools, and proactive system checks, these emissions can be drastically reduced. Saving both emissions and operating costs. Preventing leaks is a climate response and a commercial safeguard.

 “As the shift to natural refrigerants continues, the demand for skilled technicians is also growing. These modern systems require specialised knowledge in handling, pressure safety, and compliance. By engaging trained contractors, supporting technician upskilling, and collaborating on cross industry training pathways, supermarkets help to build the sector capability needed to support this transition long term,” says Nick Tongue Managing Director of McAlpine Hussmann.

The refrigeration sector is proud to partner with New Zealand supermarkets in this journey. Through Cool-Safe, we’re building a stewardship system that reduces emissions, lifts industry standards, and protects the climate.

Supermarkets are already leading the way in so many areas of sustainability. With responsible refrigerant disposal, proactive leak management, and support for technician training, they can help transform refrigeration from a high risk necessity into a low emissions, environmentally friendly success story.

Just more proof for your customers that you are working sustainably and responsibly. It’s a win win.

This column is by Cool-Safe in partnership with industry leaders across New Zealand’s refrigeration and HVAC sector. To find out more about certified disposal, technician training or joining the Cool-Safe programme, visit www.coolsafe.org.nz.