United Biscuits - Case study: Reducing water use

“We are very pleased to support the Federation House Commitment. As a company we are not heavy users of water but we know it is important to minimise the amount we use. Reducing water use is one of UB's commitments in our published environmental sustainability goals. We aim to achieve a 25% reduction in water use by 2020 compared with 2007.”

David Fish Executive Chairman, United Biscuits

What have we done?

In January 2008 United Biscuits (UB) set a target to reduce water use by 25% by 2020 compared with 2007. In 2008 alone a 17% reduction was achieved.

This year, UB has introduced a new water recycling and cleaning system at its snacks factory in Billingham, Teesside where water used in the potato processing area accounts for the majority of UB's water use. Water is used for washing, transporting, peeling and slicing potatoes.

Previously the water was only used once. However, in order to reduce the amount of fresh water consumed UB worked with a supplier to develop 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. This new system works in conjunction with the existing effluent treatment plant at the factory.

Recycling water in this way is expected to save approximately 400,000 cubic metres of fresh water per year, reducing UB's water consumption by over 30%.

In addition, water management systems at all of UB's sites have been reviewed to ensure that the water 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.

UB is continuing to pilot schemes to reduce water use even further.