An eco-friendly Bradford wholesale market has won national acclaim for its innovative approach.

St James’s Market, which opens at 5am six days a week in Essex Street, off Wakefield Road, has been voted the UK’s ‘Best Wholesale Market’ at the National Association of British Market Authorities conference in Birmingham.

Waste going from the market to landfill has been reduced by a huge 1,600 per cent so that four-fifths of all waste is now recycled.

The market is the only one in the country to gain all three industry quality standards. From its six-acre site, it sells fresh fruit, vegetables, exotic produce, flowers and pre-packed supplies for restaurant owners.

Councillor David Green, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, welcomed the award.

He said: “It’s great to hear that Bradford has the best wholesale market in the UK and staff and tenants should be very proud of this accolade.

“The Council and tenants’ association have funded several improvements to the market including repainting the trading hall, improved security, modernising the warehouse exterior, resurfacing the roadways, new toilets, the creation of recycling area, new automatic fire detection system and new lighting in the trading hall.”

The judges were particularly impressed with the partnership approach between the Council and the tenants’ association to increase recycling, such as a ‘pay as you throw’ initiative, recycling cardboard, plastic and wood, and diverting unsold fruit and vegetables to the Yorkshire Water Treatment works in Esholt.

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