Waste reduction

The sunburnt country... an apple story State-supported, water-efficient overhead misting system saves sensitive fruits from the harsh Australian sun Losses from sunburnt apples reduced by 80 %, saving € 30 430 a year Spread over five sites and 250 hectares, Oakmoor Orchards produces apples, pears...

Extending the lifetime of a product (asset) has a number of environmental advantages: less resource extraction, less energy embedded (the direct and indirect energy required to produce goods plus the energy needed to source and process raw materials they contain) and less waste generated...

Two key factors determine a product's lifetime: the way it is designed and built, and whether consumers choose to properly maintain (repair) or to replace it. Manufacturers are in control of the first factor and can very much influence the second by providing detailed descriptions and guidelines on...

'Una mas' benefit thanks to EMAS... EMAS practices and eco-design principles delivered solid results for printer Results included less toxic chemicals used, energy savings and huge increase in recycled paper use El Tinter in Spain is specialised in offset printing books, magazines, catalogues and...

Bale up! Smart waste solution Smart baling system stops triple-handling of carboard waste The auto-baling system saves the company 32 man days or around € 10 000 a year Cannon Packing and Logistics, a contract packaging company in Oxfordshire, started re-organising their waste management process...

Pack it down and cut waste costs! Compacting restaurant waste reduces volume, cost and hauling Around € 1 400 saved on waste-removal every month Up to 80 % reduction of associated CO2 emissions from hauling Panera Bread is an environmentally friendly restaurant in San Francisco, USA. Its 'green'...

Calculated 'green' decisions Procurement policy guides sustainability actions for staff, students, faculty Green choices are often cheaper or have a short payback on investment University of British Columbia (UBC) is a leading sustainability advocate and practician among Canadian and north American...

Sustainable golf, a pledge for greener greens Integrated materials and resource handling and recycling programme Savings of nearly € 30 000 per year thanks to new waste-management approach Since opening in 2003, Dundonald Links on Scotland’s Ayrshire coast has been committed to a wide range of...

Dumpster dipping tells a story 24 tonnes of waste prevented from being sent to landfill Annual cost savings of nearly € 2 300 through reduced waste collection Improved working relationship with supply chain Founded in 1968, Bardyke Chemicals Ltd. in Lanarkshire, UK specialises in developing and...

Long history of sustainability on display Clever scheme to promote end-of-life product remanufacturing Almost no waste sent to landfill, and huge reductions in energy and water use Caterpillar is an American heavy machinery- and engine-maker with a strong brand and long history in remanufacturing...

Xerox sees the 'green' light Copy machine-maker develops strong remanufacturing business model Its reverse supply chain activities save around € 107 million annually and divert 35 million kg of waste from landfill Xerox ventured into the managed service sector by enabling customers to lease its...

Renting and leasing means that you can use a product without owning it. This can be favourable, for example if you only need a certain tool once, or if it is a complex tool that needs a lot of maintenance, it is most likely a lot cheaper to rent or lease it than to buy it. By not buying an...