Federation House Commitment (FHC) - Why the FHC?
The food and drink sector is a major water user, both
from direct abstraction and its use of the public water
supply. According to the FISS, the food industry in
England and Wales is estimated to use 430 mega
litres per day (equivalent to 156,950,000m3 per year)
from the public water supply (10% of industrial use).
It is also estimated to make direct abstractions of 260
mega litres of water per day (94,900,000m3 per year)[3].
The overall water reduction target of 20% by 2020 against a 2007 baseline
(excluding water embedded within products), as set out in the FISS, is
considered to
be feasible by implementing water use best practices across the industry. The
FHC
provides an
avenue to help the industry to achieve the FISS targets.
In addition to the 20% target signatories have committed to contributing to
achieve, many FHC
members have also set even more challenging targets to drive down water use and
achieve their individual sustainability goals.
While the FHC and this Report are specific to the food and drink sector, other
businesses can benefit from improving their water efficiency. Companies can
contact WRAP for free expert advice by visiting www.wrap.org.uk or calling the Resource Efficiency
Helpline on 0808 100 2040.
Why sign up?
By signing up to the FHC, companies within the food and drink sector are reaping
the benefits from improved water efficiency and financial savings, whilst
contributing to the overall industry-wide target to reduce water use.
Demonstrating leadership. Through their public commitment to reducing water usage, companies that sign up
to the FHC are demonstrating real leadership within the sector.
Improving the bottom line. Good environmental
practice has shown that a company can save
around 30% on its water and effluent bills by putting
simple or relatively low cost measures in place.
Since water needs to be treated before and after
use, the costs of the associated energy and materials
can also be reduced along with the carbon footprint.
Gaining a competitive edge. It is becoming
increasingly important for both business-tobusiness
and consumer-focused companies to
address their stakeholder requirements. Today's
businesses and consumers are increasingly aware
of the impact they are imposing on the
environment, and are subsequently attracted to
companies that are addressing this. By joining the
FHC, companies demonstrate a real commitment
to reducing the impact of the water they use.
Water availability. Over-abstraction, climate change, population growth and economic
development all have an effect on water availability.
In water stressed conditions, water shortages
could affect operations. Companies that are
addressing their water usage will be better
prepared for any potential disruption to the water
supply in the future.
Over the last year the FHC has continued to grow
with a further seven companies making the public
commitment to reduce their water use. The FHC now
has 42 signatories who are engaged in making on-site
improvements to reduce their water use. A full list of
participants is provided in this Report.
The signatories who joined during 2009 are:
- Framptons;
- Freshtime;
- General Mills;
- Natures Way Foods;
- Northumberland Cheese Company;
- Pataks (AB World Foods); and
- Paterson Arran Ltd.
WRAP will continue to work with each of these new and existing signatories to
help them identify, develop and implement water saving initiatives at their
manufacturing sites.
A wide variety of manufacturing operations, across a range of sub-sectors within
the food and drink sector, are represented within the FHC.
Figure 1 provides a breakdown of the signatories by sub-sector. Of the 42
signatories, 43% are from the processed food, nonmeat
and meat and dairy sectors, with 26% classifying themselves as from sub-sectors
other than those listed, truly demonstrating the diversity within the FHC and
the opportunity for transfer of best practice and knowledge sharing between
signatories.
Total water use data provided from the 42 signatories for 2007 (calculated from
204 sites) is 44,951,827m3 (this includes water embedded in products),
representing approximately 18% of the total sector water use when compared to
sector
water use reported in the FISS. This comprises 34,296,909m3 from the public
water
supply (approximately 22%
of that reported in the FISS) and 10,317,220m3 from direct abstraction
(approximately 11% of that reported in the FISS).
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Notes:
3. Food and Drink Industry Sustainability Strategy, 2006, www.defra.gov.uk
More Information
Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2010