United Biscuits - Case study: Water efficiency
In January 2008 UB set a target to reduce water use by
25% by 2020 compared with 2007. And in 2008 alone a
17% reduction was achieved.
In 2009, UB introduced a new water recycling and cleaning
system at its snacks factory in Billingham, Teesside, where
the potato processing area accounts for the majority of
UB's water use.
Water is used for washing, transporting, peeling and
slicing potatoes and was previously only used once.
However, to reduce the amount of fresh water consumed,
UB worked developed a system that would sufficiently
clean the water to allow it to be used again. The used
water is now passed through a water treatment system
using biological treatment and filtration before returning it
to a blending tank with fresh water which is then used in
the potato processing area.
Recycling water in this way is expected to save
approximately 400,000 m3 of fresh water per year,
reducing UB's water consumption by more than 30%.
In addition, water management systems at all of UB's sites
have been reviewed to ensure that the supply is promptly
turned off when production processes are shut down. A
range of water management measures have been installed
by site teams, including infra-red tap sensors, spray
nozzles and trigger valves on hoses.
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