Environment
We have long recognised that a commitment to protecting the environment is an integral part of managing our business and that environmental performance contributes to overall business performance.
Our manufacturing sites and the national distribution centre continue to be independently accredited to the environmental management system (‘EMS’) ISO14001. Our site at Foston achieved accreditation during 2007 as did our acquired dairy at Nottingham.
Dairy Crest's established environmental management system approach has enabled us to obtain permits under the regulations relating to Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC). As part of this process each affected site has documented targets for reductions in energy and water usage, as well as for food wastage.
Energy usage, in terms of carbon dioxide emissions, has reduced by 4.1% since 2004/5, following an adverse trend between 2003/4 and 2004/5. This was caused by an increase in drying activity. Excluding this effect, the underlying trend is steadily downwards since 2002/3.
Unit water usage has reduced by 1.2% since 2004/5, despite an increase of added value products in our product portfolio which have a higher unit water consumption.
The benefits from our investment at Davidstow in water reuse technology have been consolidated during the year and this approach is now being assessed at other sites, particularly Foston, where we plan to invest further in water and effluent management systems during the year.
Milk and product wastage has reduced by 21% over the past two years, primarily driven by reduced wastage following our major investment in Davidstow. Future savings are likely to be at a lower level.
