Member Article

Gold honour for zero waste chemical company

A Cross Hills-based chemical company has cemented its position as an environmentally pioneering business with another accolade for its green initiatives.

Airedale Chemical has been awarded gold status in the Zero Waste Scheme which recognises organisations which are driving down waste from landfill.

The specialist chemical company has not only succeeded in its quest to completely cut out site waste destined for landfill, it even recycles waste items for use in energy production and community projects.

Karen Waddington, health and safety advisor at Airedale Chemical explains: “It took a big shake-up of our systems to implement the original programme to eliminate landfill waste at Airedale Chemical, but the concept was embraced by staff in every department and quickly took off.

“We wanted to capitalise on that success and took it a step further by not only saving waste from landfill, but actually finding practical and positive uses for as many of our unwanted items as possible.

“Some of our waste now goes to third parties for use in the production of energy, our bulk storage containers are re-conditioned and re-used, and some of the smaller items are utilised creatively by community groups.

“As a result we are now around £800 per month better off due to less skips of waste being taken off site, and from the rebates we receive for recycled items.”

Achieving gold in the Zero Waste Scheme is the latest in a series of environment and community based initiatives from Airedale Chemical, which has ramped up its CSR activity. It recently agreed with Cross Hills parish council to maintain its public conveniences, providing regular deep cleans, and has set up the Airedale Foundation to provide support for local charities and community projects that make a difference to its immediate neighbours and communities.

Karen Cannard, one of the Zero Waste Scheme’s judges added: “The Zero Waste Awards recognise leadership and action amongst those who are working hard to create a more sustainable and resourceful economy, embedding ambitious waste reduction practices into the heart of their organisations.”

This recognition from the Zero Waste Scheme follows a silver award for Environmental Best Practice from The Green Organisation at the end of 2015 for the success of Airedale Chemical’s initiative to send zero waste to landfill.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Approach PR .