Waste and recycling
We continue to reduce, reuse and recycle.
However, although we succeeded in reducing the overall amount of waste we produced by 5% to 20.4 tonnes, unfortunately the amount that went to landfill increased by 58%. This was caused by a similar reduction in the amount of recycling achieved by our waste contractor, whose performance fell from 80% recycled to just under 60%.
On the positive side, we saw a reduction of three-quarters of a tonne in the amount of paper waste, which continues to go to the M-Real mill in Sittingbourne, to produce 'Evolve' recycled paper.
A thorough review of the benefits of the once familiar Panda Collection Units (PCU) was undertaken and a decision was made to instigate a one-off project to dispose of them.
This has meant that we need to collect and dispose of approximately 750 units distributed around the UK.
The project is complicated by the fact that the PCUs are composite, having fibreglass bases and PVC bodies, making recycling difficult.
A number of options exist for their disposal or reuse and no final decision has yet been reached, although one plan is to have celebrities paint some and auction them on eBay.
This exceptional activity will be reported separately when complete.
Performance against FY07 targets
- To reduce the amount of waste we produced by 10%. We failed to meet this ambitious target, only reducing the overall waste generated by 5%.
- Investigate the volume of printed material we produce and look at ways to reduce it where appropriate. A print management programme has been set up which is intended to save money and reduce the number of copies of reports we print. The volume of reports in storage has been considerably reduced during the year. We continue to offer all reports in electronic formats.
Target for FY08
- Reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by 40%.