News - 2010
Environment
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Environment
Carbon footprint accountabilityMajor multiples are increasingly emphasising a reduction in carbon usage throughout their operations, and much of this burden will therefore be passed onto their suppliers. Tesco, as a single example, is aiming to reduce the amount of carbon used to produce the goods on its shelves by at least 30% by 2020. As a result, compliance with ISO 14000 and the imminent ISO 26000 – two of the key standards for environmental management – will be increasingly used as criteria against which suppliers will be selected or de-listed by the major multiples. But how can you prove your adherence to these? This will include a detailed appreciation of the carbon used to produce and deliver the raw materials and packaging, and then manufacture the end product and transport it to the customer. This demand on suppliers is coming – it’s unavoidable, and already on its way. Considering new software releases can take up to 18 months to scope out, plan, develop, test and release, then suppliers must challenge their ERP providers and make sure that such a software development is on its way and has been planned in detail, ideally with its customers’ direct involvement. If not, then it’s quite likely that many food and beverage suppliers will end up caught out with systems that will immediately lose them their biggest contracts. Should you wish to know more please contact us via email at - |
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Coke to release new ‘Earth-friendly’ bio-bottleThe Coca-Cola Company is developing a new type of bottle that could replace at least some of the environmentally harmful plastic it and other beverage makers now use with more Earth-friendly material made from sugarcane and molasses. The company plans to announce details about the new package, called ‘PlantBottle’, in mid-May 2009. Coca-Cola North America is expected to test the bottle with Dasani, its leading water brand, and carbonated beverage brands later this year, and with Vitaminwater in 2010. At a Washington forum, Coke chief executive Muhtar Kent hinted about the development and hailed it as a potential breakthrough. “Over the next 10 years, that simple initiative will transform the whole concept of recycling,” he said. Coke spokeswoman Lisa Manley said: “We’re interested in developing the packaging of the future, which we think is going to be in some ways derived from either plants or something else that’s a naturally occurring resource, and that’s not under stress like petroleum.” Plastic bottles are made from a petroleum-based resin known as polyethylene terephthalate – or PET for short. PET bottles are recyclable, but the process can be relatively expensive and complex. PET bottles that aren’t recycled can take years to decompose. Coke’s new type of bottle would be made from a blend of petroleum-based materials and up to 30% of plant-based materials. It’s initially being made with sugarcane and molasses, a by-product of sugar production, but other plant materials are being explored. The blend could make the recycling process easier and cheaper, and reduce the time that discarded bottles sit in landfills. Coke is one of the biggest producers of plastic bottles, which are a scourge of environmentalists. Consumers drain about a billion plastic PET bottles every week, with only 18-23% recycled, according to the Container Recycling Institute, a non-profit advocacy group in Washington. Kristin Urquiza, a campaign manager at the advocacy group Corporate Accountability International, said it’s hard to give Coke praise for steps it should have taken earlier. “Coke is on a green blitz,” she said, “but it’s hard to give Coke kudos when they’re just now taking baby steps in taking responsibility for the environmental impacts of its products.” John Sicher, editor and publisher of Beverage Digest, said Coke isn’t alone. Other companies, he said, are experimenting with resins made from corn: “All this research is good for the industry and the planet,” he said, adding that any new packages will have to be “cost-competitive” and make business sense for bottlers, which make and distribute the final product. Kent mentioned the new bottles in an appearance with former US president Bill Clinton at a forum on business and social responsibility. He suggested that it’s one of many ways Coke is becoming more environmentally and socially responsible. “I don’t think a responsible business can avoid trying to improve the environment in which it operates,” said Clinton. Should you wish to know more please contact us via email at - |
Mars Drinks announces zero waste being sent to landfillMars Drinks has achieved zero production waste being sent to landfill for its drinks factories in Basingstoke, UK, reducing its waste production sent to landfill from 600 tonnes a year to zero. Over the last three years, the factories, which manufacture Klix drinks vending machines and Klix and Flavia drinks products, have been reviewing each stage of their manufacturing process to find alternative ways to either reuse or recycle materials. This is yet another sustainability milestone for Mars Drinks, forming part of its ‘Thirsty for Change’ strategy to help reduce its own impact on the environment and that of its customers. Peter Ramsay, environmental manager for Mars Drinks, has been leading the zero to landfill initiative in the factories. He describes some of the techniques that Mars Drinks uses when dealing with the by-products of the production process: Through WTE each year, Mars Drinks is effectively saving enough electricity to power at least 30 homes. Should you wish to know more please contact us via email at - |
Tetley gets Fairtrade tea from Rainforest Alliance farmsTea took another industry-changing leap towards sustainability today as the Rainforest Alliance announced that Tetley, the world’s second largest tea company, has committed to sourcing all of its tea for its Tetley brand worldwide from Rainforest Alliance certified farms. The Tetley commitment will increase the number of cups of tea from Rainforest Alliance certified farms from 60m to circa 95m. All Tetley branded tea bags and loose tea for black, green and red (Rooibos) tea, including flavoured and decaffeinated varieties, will be part of the certification programme, which is scheduled for completion by 2016. Speaking about the announcement, Tensie Whelan, Rainforest Alliance president, said: “The tea industry has faced many challenges, from declining prices to poor farming and environmentally damaging practices. The Rainforest Alliance certification programme assists farmers in addressing these issues and in reaching new value-added markets as well as focusing on improving productivity and significantly improving their quality of life. “We’re delighted with Tetley’s huge commitment, which will help meet the demand for sustainability that the environment and tea farmers need, and consumers obviously want.” All farms that are Rainforest Alliance Certified have met the environmental, social and economic standards of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN). The SAN standards cover ecosystem conservation, worker rights and safety, wildlife protection, water and soil conservation, agrochemical reduction, decent housing, and legal wages and contracts for workers. Should you wish to know more please contact us via email at - |
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Every Can CountsEvery Can Counts is a good way to prove that your organisation is committed to sustainability - to your employees, your suppliers and your customers. By encouraging the people in your organisation to ‘close the loop' by recycling drinks cans, you'll be helping to save energy and resources as well as reduce landfill. Not only does this benefit the planet, this can have a number of positive impacts on your business. Should you wish to know more please contact us via email at - |
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The “iRecycle” Vending MachineA major vending operator has launched its newest machine – the iRecycle – designed to encourage recycling, offering benefits to those who do so. The machine scans in and consumes empty aluminium cans and PET standard bottles using a barcode detection method and green light system. The machines can be coded to accept multiple brands and products or can be initiated to just accept one waste product. The chosen bottles and cans are recognised and accepted into the machine where the iRecycle will then dispense a receipt that can be used in a variety of ways. Should you wish to know more please contact us via email at - |
