Business sustainability is at the top of operational targets for local employer, Stannah. The Green Apple Awards recognises excellence in sustainable business practice and in 2015 has rewarded the company for their project entitled: Staff Restaurant Zero Waste to Landfill.

Dr. Charles Symonds, Business Sustainability Manager at Stannah, was delighted to attend the Award ceremony at the Houses of Parliament, joined by Patrick Pool and Jim White who also worked closely on the project. Charles comments: “The aim of this project was to apply the waste hierarchy that operates across the Stannah Group to the on-site staff restaurant operated by a private catering supplier, Pabulum. Achieving our aim would mean meeting our zero waste to landfill target going forward from this facility. I am delighted to say that by working together with Pabulum staff and supporting each other throughout the project we have successfully achieved our zero waste to landfill target, educated everyone working in and using the restaurant in sustainable operations and behaviours and won an award for our achievements! A fantastic result, achieved only with the enthusiasm and commitment of all. “

The Stannah restaurant waste now divides into recyclable and compostable streams. This work will continue, to reduce the weight sent for waste to energy.

A robust data reporting system was established to monitor the disposal of waste across the whole site. This system reports on the weight of material being sent to each level of the waste hierarchy.

The Restaurant takeaway packaging was moved from expanded polystyrene to paper pulp, enabling recycling to take place.

The restaurant staff is now engaged with waste segregation and are actively looking to reduce the remaining waste being sent for waste to energy.

Group Managing Director, Jon Stannah, comments: “Stannah has a growing interest and momentum around acting sustainably in line with our strong family values. We believe in doing more with less, using the principles of the circular economy to eliminate the creation of waste. We are delighted to receive this second Green Apple Award which recognises our commitments to our sustainability drive.”