The Scottish processor reduced landfill waste from 60% to 3%, and reduced its water usage by 13,000t a year to save £39,000 in costs. Farne Salmon and Trout also tracked its recycling of polystyrene, plastic, food waste and metal by investing in a recycling plant.
The processor works with local communities to offer locals and businesses a free cardboard and polystyrene disposal service. Almost 14t of waste plastic was saved annually by buying efficient tray sealing machinery, it said – the equivalent of about £168,000.
Boost business performance
Farne Salmon and Trout urged other food manufacturers to boost their business performance by protecting the environment.
The firm’s environmental manager Angus Forbes said: “At Farne, we are committed to developing sustainable practices that not only contribute positively to the environment but also to our overall bottom line, which is evident from some of the efficiency savings we have made to date.”
Farne Salmon and Trout environmental plan
- Reduce landfill waste
- Reduce water usage
- Reduce salt usage
- Recycling tracking Reduce waste plastic
Farne Salmon and Trout was recognised last year for its sustainable practices by winning an award at the Vibes – Scottish Environment Business Awards – run by the Scottish government, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Water, Scottish Enterprise, Highland and Islands Enterprise, Zero Waste Scotland, Energy Saving Trust and Scotland’s 2020 Climate group.
The awards’ chair Gillian Bruce said: “Farne Salmon and Trout have positively demonstrated how small changes like tracking recycling can not only improve Scotland’s sustainability but can also benefit the business’s bottom line.”
Cut costs by sustainable operations
The smoke and cooked salmon manufacturer’s cost savings came after Wyke Farms md Richard Clothier told FoodManufacture.co.uk in November that food and drink firms could cut costs by operating more sustainably.
Clothier said it was a myth among manufacturers that operating in a sustainbale way would cost more. But, Wyke Farms’s experience was that a low-carbon operation meant less costs.
Meanwhile, food and drink manufacturers are invited to show off their sustainable practices by submitting an entry for the Environmental initiative category of the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards (FMEAs).
Wyke Farms – Food Manufacture Excellence Awards winner
Wyke Farms saw success at last year’s Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, after winning the Environment initiative award.
The 2017 FMEAs are now open for entries. Find out how you could be in with a huge chance to win a coveted manufacturing Oscar here.