Highlights
- Green20 (group environmental strategy) set targets for sustainability to be achieved by 2020
- Introduced a monitoring system which monitors energy and water use
- Sustainable supply chain requirements set for suppliers and growers
- 75% water saving achieved
Greenvale AP, based in the Borders, is a supplier of fresh potatoes for the retail, wholesale and manufacturing sectors. Greenvale AP are the UK’s largest grower of organic potatoes. The company have a strategy – GREEN20 – to set targets for sustainability to be achieved by 2020.
The Management Award recognises businesses whose management systems deliver continuous improvement in environmental performance. The category is aimed at businesses that are taking a holistic approach to environmental improvement and can demonstrate the associated economic and social benefits that have been achieved. The judges were impressed by Greenvale’s commitment to the environment and sustainable development which has benefited the business, its employees and stakeholders/suppliers.
Greenvale have their Green20 environmental strategy which details the company’s strategic commitment and targets to reducing their environmental impact by 2020. Targets at the Duns site are 75% reduction in water, 21% reduction in carbon, 0% waste to landfill and 20% energy delivered by renewable energy by 2020.
They believe that as a player in the fresh potato sector they have a real responsibility to help shape the way in which the industry operates. They are continually challenging convention and looking for technological advances that can help the industry become more efficient, thus reducing their collective environmental impact.
The site has made some significant financial investments including LED lighting and over £1m in a state of the art water recycling plant “Cascade”. The system cleans and recycles the water used to wash potatoes, reducing the total volume of water whilst also filtering sand, soil and stones, which are in turn recycled. The system delivers a 75% water saving in a high water consumption industry. They have upgraded their refrigeration systems to improve energy efficiency.
All potatoes are processed, with 0% going to waste. Secondary grade potatoes go to a sister company –Swancote foods. If not suitable for processing the final outlet is to animal feed.
The use of a metering system at the Duns site has identified some areas of high energy usage that had previously been overlooked and has instigated actions by the site management team to reduce consumption.
The judges were impressed with the wide range of benefits offered to staff. Greenvale value their employee’s contribution and are committed to improving and developing all of the workforce. They have a zero waste policy and target. To support this they have recently carried out a zero waste week, which encouraged staff recycling.
Jo-Anne Baptie, Group HSE Manager at Greenvale AP, said: “We are honoured to have been recognised at this year’s VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards. Winning the Management Award is a real testament to the hard work and commitment from everyone at Greenvale reducing our impact on the environment. We are proud to take our place amongst many excellent companies working hard to deliver a sustainable future and hope it inspires more organisations to make a difference.”