Speaking during a visit to Coca-Cola’s factory in Wakefield (UK), Lord Smith praised efforts by food and drink manufacturers to cut their carbon footprint, reduce water consumption and slim-down waste production.
Environment Agency figures show that regulated organisations within the food and drink sector have increased the proportion of waste recycled and recovered to 90% in 2011. Overall, the sector was responsible for far fewer pollution incidents in 2011 than in previous years.
The food and drink sector represents over 15% of UK turnover and consists of over 7,000 businesses. 80% of regulated sites achieve the highest environmental standards as measured by the Environment Agency.
As a result of a drive to be greener, the food and drink sector is also saving millions of pounds through resource efficiency. Those signed up to the Food & Drink Federation’s (FDF) commitment to reduce water use saved in the region of £1.82m in the purchase of water alone in 2011.
At its factory in Wakefield, Coca-Cola Enterprises has reduced energy consumption by 16.5% since 2006, cut its water use to product ratio by 10% since 2007 and, since 2009, sent zero waste to landfill. It is also the first plant in the global food and beverage industry to achieve the ISO 50001 standard for energy management.
Source: Environment Agency
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