Member Article

Three changes business leaders can make to preserve the planet.

After Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his Budget speech on net-zero innovation finance and green bonds, there was a mixed reaction. Kevin Quigley, Commercial Director of Warrens Group suggests that while it was welcome to see the Budget acknowledge the importance of an investment-led economy, there is little time to waste when it comes to creating the low carbon economy of tomorrow.

To mark Global Recycling Day (18th March, 2021), Kevin has outlined some of the changes he’d like to see business owners make in order to put people and nature first. Global Recycling Day recognises the achievements outstanding individuals and organisations that have gone the extra mile to save the planet.

Drive towards a net zero future We need to grow back greener. The Chancellor offered some green nuggets in his Budget day speech, but there are other things business owners can do. The threat posed by the climate change emergency is now beyond dispute, but there are emerging green technologies that – if we act to make use of them now – can empower us to make a significant change to the quality of air we all breathe.

Biomethane, or renewable natural gas (RNG), is a potential game-changer as methane produced by an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant, fed with waste from the food sector, can be refined and injected into the gas grid or used to fuel a fleet of vehicles.

We believe that all company fleets could deliver impact from the use of biogas. HGVs account for 4.2% of UK carbon emissions, so decarbonising the industry is essential to meet the UK’s goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050. Some major retailers, such as Asda and John Lewis are already on board with biomethane vehicle fuelling. Our biomethane filling station is capable of fuelling 200 vehicles per day. It guarantees no losses in transmissions of gas from conversion to filling. Our trucks rely on biomethane gas and generate 84% less carbon dioxide than diesel as a result.

Reduce waste and promote recycling While many things are still unpredictable, one thing that is inevitable is the production of food waste. From the reopening of schools to non-essential retail and finally, hospitality – there will be an increase in waste compared to what we have seen over this past year.

It is therefore even more important for everyone to think about food waste prevention and for the hospitality and food sector to look at what changes they can implement to ensure as little food as possible is thrown away. Wasted food has a significant contribution to climate change and is something we all need to address together.

Warrens Group collects food waste and converts it into energy, and we want to strengthen ties with all organisations and communities to help address the UK Government’s Net Zero target by 2050.

As we have shown throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we can work at short notice with our food industry customers to ensure that food does not becomes landfill waste. Warrens works with local authorities, schools and businesses from a wide range of sectors to assist with ideas on best practice, provide practical recommendations for operational improvement and help achieve efficiencies. We’re more than happy to help you brainstorm ideas together.

Check your bins! Business waste is now measured and charged for by its weight and bins that exceed this maximum weight allowance will receive additional charges on top of their business’s monthly waste collection fee.

The waste limit is due to landfill tax which is collected by the Government to incentivise businesses to become more eco-friendly. We all know that when waste is sent to landfill, it becomes an environmental hazard, often taking a long time to decompose and releasing toxins and greenhouse gases into the air when it does.

Businesses really need to play their part in ensuring food waste is disposed of in the correct manner and that it does not end up going to landfill and having an undesirable environmental impact at a time when recycling is playing a crucial role in tackling climate change.

It is time for clear thinking and cool heads across the recycling sector as we head into 2021 because we will no doubt see increased volumes of waste as businesses get back to normal.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Thomas Pearson .