United Biscuits achieves zero waste to landfill in the UK

United Biscuits (UB) has become the first major food manufacturer in the UK to achieve zero waste to landfill across all of its 16 UK sites including its UK factories, distribution centre and administrative offices.

The company, which produces much loved brands such as McVitie’s, McCoy’s, Jacob’s, Carr’s, and KP Nuts, accomplished zero waste to landfill in December by employees maximising their recycling efforts, the business reducing the amount of waste being brought in, and having any residual waste that could not be recycled normally incinerated to create energy.

Chair of UB’s Sustainability Committee, COO Jeff van der Eems said: “This is a fantastic milestone for United Biscuits and it’s extremely rewarding to see that all of our hard work has paid off.

“We’ve massively reduced the tonnage of non-food waste sent to landfill over several years. Since 2006 we’ve saved 9000 tonnes of waste being sent to landfill. To put it into context, this is the equivalent weight of around 2000 male African elephants, so it’s an incredible achievement.”

The zero waste initiative forms part of UB’s wider environmental programme which the biscuit and snacks manufacturer launched back in 2008. In 2010 UB brought forward its target of zero non-food waste to landfill to 2012 from the original deadline of 2015. UB continues to be a leader in sustainability. The company was also the first manufacturer in the UK to achieve 100% sustainable palm oil.

Source: United Biscuits (UB)