One of the world's leading producers of beer and cider is partnering with its suppliers to reduce their combined environmental impact by taking part in the next phase of the Envirowise supply chain programme.
This free programme has been designed to help companies across the retail and food & drink sectors work with their suppliers to improve environmental performance, while reducing costs.
To date the programme has helped major UK retailers, including 'Boots the Chemist' and 'Virgin' to cut costs and reduce unnecessary waste. Since its launch in 2002, the programme has already achieved massive cost savings of £6.6 million across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Scottish & Newcastle plc has a strong position in 14 countries across Europe and Asia and exports to more than 60 countries around the world. Their work on the Envirowise supply chain programme has the potential to impact on the suppliers they work with and improve business practices and resource efficiency throughout the supply chain process.
Through minimising waste and maximising cost savings, the programme encourages and equips the companies to work together and find solutions to common problems, such as the re-use of packaging and more efficient use of utilities.
Richard Naylor, UK Environment Manager at Scottish & Newcastle, said: "Our strategy is to maximise the efficiency of our use of natural resources, and to minimise the environmental impact of our operations.
"As one of the world's largest beer and cider-led beverage companies, it is our responsibility to set an example to our suppliers and we are very pleased to be involved in such a worthwhile and successful programme. With Envirowise's strong track record I have no doubt that our decision to follow the programme will improve the business and I hope it will encourage others to take action."
David Ramsden, from ECOLAB, one of Scottish & Newcastle's main suppliers, added: "By working together with Scottish & Newcastle and Envirowise, we will be able to identify specific actions to improve performance. In turn, this should reduce our costs and in particular minimise our environmental impact, which we are continually trying to reduce."
The supply chain programme involves four-stages: introductory workshop, on-site resource efficiency reviews, targeted training and impact assessment.
Alan Hendry, Envirowise Business Manager for Scotland, comments:
"Now in its fifth year, the supply chain programme has seen excellent results. Participating businesses can benefit from free practical workshops and specialist advice on issues such as water usage, waste minimisation and energy efficiency. And our overall experience shows businesses can reduce waste costs by up to £1000 per employee by taking a systematic approach to resource efficiency.*
More information can be found at Envirowise's Scotland section or by calling the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585 794.
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Issued on behalf of Envirowise by Harrison Cowley.
Media Contacts: Jenny Ingram or Laura McKenzie at Harrison Cowley on 0131 226 2363 or jennyi@harrisoncowley.com or lauramc@harrisoncowley.com
Notes to Editors
* Envirowise case study and waste minimisation club data shows companies implementing full waste minimisation measures can save up to £1,000 per employee.
About Envirowise
Envirowise delivers a valuable programme of confidential advice to Scottish businesses. This advice enables businesses to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact.
Independent, practical and proven guidance is available through the Envirowise Advice Line. 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 over £1 billion.
The Envirowise programme is available to any Scottish business, completely free of charge.