ASDA is helping its suppliers boost their green credentials this Christmas as part of a new supply chain initiative launched by the government-funded Envirowise programme.
The Leeds-based supermarket group is one of five major UK retailers to join the year-round initiative. It is designed to encourage food and drink companies and their suppliers to work together to reduce waste and save money - by using water, energy and raw materials more efficiently. ASDA hopes to maintain good environmental practice within its supply chain all year round, but particularly during busy times such as the run-up to Christmas.
Chris McAnn, ASDA’s Ethical Trading Manager, said: "We signed-up to the Envirowise initiative realising that it was a perfect opportunity for us to influence the environment on a wider scale - and to work with our supply chain to do that.
“We want to support suppliers by helping them to identify opportunities for cost reduction, as well as supporting the environment. In essence, it was a commercial as well as a cost opportunity, which was in tune with our environmental agenda."
This comes as research by Envirowise – the government-funded programme which provides free resource efficiency advice to businesses in all sectors – reveals that many of the UK’s retailers are failing to develop effective supply chain relationships.
The study found that, whilst most retailers and wholesalers (91%) are in weekly contact with the supply chain, and see that value of effective supply chain management (94%), few are putting in place the collaborative programmes and processes that can underpin competitiveness and agility, particularly during tough economic times and busy periods.
Elin Crebbin, Envirowise Regional Manager for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “We are looking for other large companies operating within the food and drink sector to follow the example set by ASDA and join us in this exciting new project. Both host companies and suppliers can achieve significant cost savings and improved customer relationships from sharing best practice and working together to reduce their environmental impact.”
“The programme is run by specialists who understand the industry and issues affecting it. And our experience has shown that reducing waste costs can save up to one per cent of turnover by putting into place simple, low cost measures.”
To find out more about the Supply Chain Initiative - or for general advice on how to reduce waste and boost profits - visit www.envirowise.gov.uk or call the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585 794.
- Ends -
Notes to Editors:
Also working with Envirowise as host companies on the Food & Drink Supply Chain Initiative are Waitrose, Novotel, Tate & Lyle and McDonalds.
The Supply Chain research was carried out for Envirowise by Critical 2 in September 2005, amongst retail and wholesale businesses employing between six and 250 people.
About Envirowise
Envirowise delivers a valuable programme of confidential advice to UK businesses. This advice enables businesses to improve profitability by improving their environmental efficiency.
Independent, practical and proven guidance is available through the Envirowise Advice Line, information resources and on site visits delivered by a team of expert advisors. Each solution is driven by the specific needs of individual firms, to genuinely improve their business practices, profitability and competitiveness. Since 1994, Envirowise has helped UK industry save £1 billion.
The Envirowise programme is available to any UK business, completely free of charge. For more information visit www.envirowise.gov.uk or call 0800 585 794.