Ryvita - Case study: Zero waste to landfill
The Jordans & Ryvita Company has transformed its
approach to waste management and, as a result,
reduced the amount of waste from its Stockport
manufacturing site sent to landfill by 96%.
Until late 2007, Ryvita's Stockport facility had seven
different waste contractors and no strategic approach to
waste management. The company transformed its waste
operations by employing just one waste contractor which
has focused on recycling packaged food products into
constituent parts, namely food, cardboard and plastic.
The food element is removed from packaging by a series
of mechanical processes and typically ends up in animal
feed. Packaging is separated in-house and recovered
using “jet shredder” waste technologies which separate
film, carton and foodstuffs, all of which can then be
recycled separately.
All plastics are recovered for recycling as well as metals
and hazardous waste. New equipment was also installed,
including waste compactors and waste segregation bins.
As a result, waste sent to landfill has been reduced by
96%. As well as being good for the environment, this
work has created clear business benefits for Ryvita. The costs associated with
disposing of waste have
reduced by 50% since late 2007.
In addition, recycling
food waste, card, plastic and metal has also generated a
significant revenue stream.
Overall, the benefit to both the business and the
environment has been significant and underlines
the Jordans & Ryvita Company's commitment to
sustainability.
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