Environmental & Social Review Summary
Project Number
9233
Company Name
Corporacion Supermercados Unidos S.A.
Date ESRS Disclosed
Feb 5, 2010
Country
Costa Rica
Region
Latin America and the Caribbean
Last Updated Date
Dec 31, 2016
Environmental Category
B - Limited
Status
Completed
Previous Events
Approved : Mar 18, 1999
Signed : Mar 21, 1999
Invested : May 14, 1999
Sector
Retail (Including Supermarkets, Grocery Stores, etc.)
Industry
Tourism, Retail and Property
Department
Gbl Ind, Manufact, Agribus & Services
Project Description
November 6, 1998
Environmental Review Summary (ERS)
Project Name COSTA RICA, NICARAGUA, EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Corporacion Supermercados
Unidos (CSU)
Region Latin America and Caribbean
Sector Industrial and Consumer Services
Project No. 009233
1. Corporacion Supermercardos Unidos (CSU) is Costa Rica’s largest retail supermarket chain, with 81 stores located in San Jose and in the interior of the country. CSU’s retailing stores encompass three different self-service concepts: superstores, supermarkets and discount stores. The project consist of opening about 33 stores in Nicaragua, 50 stores in the Dominican Republic, 48 stores in Honduras and 50 stores in El Salvador, installing point of sale technology with product coding in each store and training the new personnel to CSU’s service standards.
2. This is a category B project according to IFC’s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of appraising technical and environmental information submitted by the project sponsor, and the technical appraisal and site review completed by IFC’s Technical and Environment Department staff. The following potential environmental, health and safety impacts of the project were analyzed:
· site selection and site environmental and social (including ownership) conditions;
· liquid and solid waste treatment and disposal including sewage collection;
· use of appropriate refrigerants;
· fire protection;
· emergency response; and
· general worker health and safety.
The sponsor has presented plans to address these issues and demonstrate that the proposed project will comply with applicable governmental and World Bank requirements. The information provided about how these potential impacts are addressed in the development of the project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.
3. CSU stores will be located in commercial areas, and in middle and low-income neighborhoods. The stores size are approximately1,000 to 2,000 m2. CSU is committed to undertake and provide IFC with details of future land acquisitions and to comply with World Bank policies and guidelines. Although not anticipated, any land acquisition requiring resettlement will be subject to the preparation of a Resettlement Action Plan to be approved by IFC prior to acquisition of the land.
4. CSU’s liquid effluents discharges are treated at municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). In those countries where municipal treatment is not available CSU will design, construct and operate a WWTP. Currently, CSU operates 18 WWTP with local authorization and under the supervision of an environmental engineer. CSU monitors the WWTPs on a regular basis by chemical analysis as required by local authorities. The treated effluents are then discharged to surface waters. The treated effluents for the current WWTPs comply with World Bank guidelines.
5. CSU’s recycles cardboard and paper throughout its facilities. The domestic solid waste from the supermarkets is collected and disposed of by local authorities. CSU’s cold storage areas will not use CFCs refrigerants.
6. A fire and earthquake emergency plans have been prepared by CSU. A fire brigade and an earthquake brigades will be formed at each supermarket, the brigades will receive appropriate training including the use of fire fighting equipment. Each store will have appropriate fire safety such as fire hoses, and fire extinguishers.
7. CSU will provide training in the handling and storage of food, general precautions during the handling and cutting of meat, and the use of safety belts for carrying heavy objects.
8. Based on its review of available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that, the proposed project is being designed to meet Governments of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic requirements, and World Bank policies, and environmental, health and safety guidelines.
9. IFC will monitor ongoing compliance with World Bank policies and guidelines during the life of the project by evaluating monitoring reports submitted annually to IFC by the sponsor and by conducting periodic site reviews during project supervision.
\\StreetTalk\Environment Files@CTETE@IFC\Mainstream Projects\Costa Rica\CSU-9233\ERS.DOC
November 6, 1998 1:23 PM
Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures
Broad Community Support
Related SII
