Foodstuffs wins (another) waste minimisation award
Foodstuffs wins (another) waste minimisation award
Foodstuffs, in partnership with its waste services
provider EnviroNZ, won the award for "Best project or initiative in
the commercial or public sectors", for its waste minimisation
programme, which is in operation at almost 100 Foodstuffs sites
nationwide, mainly PAK'nSAVE and New World stores.
It's the second consecutive year that Foodstuffs has
won the award. Last year its recyclable butchery trays scooped the
prize as well as going on to receive the Environment Ministry's
Green Ribbon Award for waste minimisation, in June this year.
Jennifer Elliott, Waste Minimisation Programme
Coordinator, Foodstuffs (NZ) Ltd, says winning the award is further
endorsement of Foodstuffs' progress across all aspects of
sustainability.
"It acknowledges what is an innovative collaboration
between Foodstuffs and EnviroNZ," says Elliot. "It's also a real
tribute to the efforts of our stores. After all, they're in the
grocery industry not the waste industry, so to be making such great
progress is testament to their dedication and enthusiasm."
Since 2014, Foodstuffs and EnviroNZ have worked to
divert 80 to 90 percent of stores' waste away from landfills by
separating it into 10 recycling streams. These include the
longstanding recycling of cardboard, paper and plastic waste, as
well as the newer rescue of surplus food that's fit for human
consumption, and repurposing of meat, bakery and produce waste for
animal feed or composting.
Elliott says as a result more than 25,000 tonnes of
waste was diverted away from landfills in the year to 31 August
2016.
"In that time, two-thirds of our stores achieved or
exceeded the 80 percent diversion rate goal, with the top 12 stores
sustaining an average of 90 percent or above. PAK'nSAVE Kilbirnie
in Wellington was the exemplar store - maintaining a 95 percent
diversion rate since March."
Elliot she says the programme isn't just good for the
environment but also makes financial sense:
"What was once seen as worthless rubbish is now a
valued commodity, something other companies are prepared to pay
for. Our average store is now seeing significant monthly savings on
its waste bill, which in turn ensures the programme's viability.
Where possible the programme also aims to have materials utilised
within New Zealand, thus further supporting the local economy."
Dave Elder, GM for Market Development, EnviroNZ, says
a huge amount of effort has gone into the programme over the last
couple of years, to ensure Foodstuffs is seen as the leader in
sustainability.
"We will continue to pursue additional innovations
for Foodstuffs that provide a point of difference," he says, "and
more importantly, an environmental outcome all Foodstuffs stores
can be proud of."
WasteMINZ is the largest representative body of the
waste, resource recovery and contaminated land sectors in New
Zealand. It is the second year of the WasteMINZ Awards for
Excellence, which serve to recognise the many successes and
advances made by the industry.
