Leading fresh food manufacturer the Daniels Group has underlined its environmental credentials after being awarded the Carbon Trust Standard for improving its carbon and energy efficiency.
The Daniels Group’s food production output has risen by 42 per cent compared with the output of 2 years ago, but electricity usage is only up three per cent and the total footprint down 5 per cent.
The group’s sites emitted 1,350 tonnes less carbon in the past 12 months compared to same period two years ago.
Changes which have helped to reduce emission levels at sites have included company-wide schemes such as more effective compressors, more efficient chilling methods, double-sided printing and low-energy lighting.
Emission levels have also been reduced by major initiatives. These include the installation of a new, electronic substation at the Farmhouse Fare chilled desserts site in Clitheroe, Lancashire, in place of diesel generators. The use of waste heat from compressors in place of electric heaters in packing stores at the Westwood site (New Covent Garden) and extensive work to improve refrigeration and distribution efficiency has also helped.
Harry Morrison, General Manager, the Carbon Trust Standard Company, said: “Being certified with the Carbon Trust Standard is proof that an organisation has taken genuine action to reduce its impact on climate change. We congratulate Daniels Group on this achievement.”
Expressing his delight at Daniels Group being awarded the Carbon Trust Standard, Chief Executive Rob Burnett said: “Environmental awareness and our responsibility to help create a cleaner environment is something all employees are keen to embrace. It’s high on our agenda and will remain so.
“Many companies and large organisations such as local authorities are taking the lead in addressing the need to reduce CO2 and energy emissions. We hope our endeavours will inspire many other companies in food manufacturing to follow our example.”
As well as achieving the Carbon Trust Standard, another significant improvement for the organisation has been the diversion of reduced life product from landfill to charity FareShare, which provides food to the vulnerable and needy, resulting in a 95-tonne carbon saving to date.
Daniels Group’s commitment to responsible environmental management has led to the formation of the Group Environmental Forum, chaired by Rob Burnett, attended by representatives of each site. Green teams, committed to lowering CO2 emissions, also operate at each site.
This year, Daniels Group was voted joint chilled food supplier of the year by buyers across all sectors of the trade.
Daniels Group
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