The Wrigley Company - Case study: Reducing water use
The Wrigley Company has successfully implemented a
scheme to convert waste water into green electricity at
its site in Plymouth.
Previously, effluent from the factory comprising of water
and syrup, from washing out production equipment
was drained away. In May 2006 Wrigley established
a new process enabling the effluent discharge to be
taken off site in tankers to be used as feed stock for a
local biogas plant where it is recycled to generate green
electricity.
The by-product from the conversion into green electricity
is then used as a natural fertiliser for local farmers. In
2007 this amounted to 2,708 tonnes of waste diverted
from drains. Overall, since the scheme began, The
Wrigley Company has diverted 13,979 tonnes of effluent
from drains.
This scheme not only reduces waste water significantly
it also makes a positive contribution in offsetting CO2 by
the production of green electricity as well as supporting
local community needs in its use as a natural fertiliser.
More Information
This case study is taken from the Our Five-fold Environmental Ambition: Progress
Report published in November 2008.