New research shows that the UK Dairy industry has made significant environmental strides over the last six years.
Preliminary results from the 2014 Dairy UK Environmental Benchmarking Report shows that dairy processors have achieved an 8% increase in energy efficiency since 2008, meaning they are on track to meet the Climate Change Agreements and Dairy Roadmap 2020 targets of 13.6% and 15% respectively.
The report also details the significant progress made in waste management. Processors attained a 74% reduction in the amount of waste sent to landfill per tonne of milk input and demonstrated an impressive 176% increase in the amount of waste recycled or recovered per tonne of milk input.
This report demonstrates that the industry is committed to environmental improvements and charts progress towards Dairy Roadmap targets. The preliminary results cover a five-year period from 2008 to 2013 and show outstanding progress in a short period of time.
Joanna Stewart, environmental manager of Dairy UK, said: “The report sends a very positive message and reiterates the UK dairy industry’s commitment to tackling the environmental challenges of food production.
“The tool is a valuable resource for processors to track their performance and identify areas for improvement. These results show that the UK dairy processing sector is on track to meet its Dairy Roadmap targets and processors will continue to make every effort to reach the next step.”
The main findings of the 2014 benchmarking report are:
Dairy Makes a Difference is a new initiative launched by Dairy UK, aimed at highlighting the benefits of dairy products and the dairy industry and to underpin growing confidence within the UK industry. Parliamentarians from all major parties signed written declarations of how ‘Dairy Makes a Difference’ to them and urged other MPs, Peers and Ministers to join them.
The campaign is showcasing the many ways in which ‘Dairy Makes a Difference’ and its contributions to the economy, the environment, public health, nutrition and much more.
MPs, politicians at regional and local level as well industry groups and members of the public are being asked to sign up to Dairy Makes a difference via an interactive web page.
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