Glass makers Rockware have developed an on-the-spot recycling service in collaboration with client Premier International Foods at their factory in Hadfield, Derbyshire. And Rockware is so confident of success that according to a spokesman: “The goal is zero waste and there is no reason why that cannot be achieved.”
Glass recycling has soared at the factory, with 9 tonnes being recovered in the first three months of the programme – three times as much as it normally recycles in a year.
A spokesman for Rockware, which supplies glass containers for Premier's foods, said: “The bulk of the factory's waste was going to landfill simply because it was too much hassle for anyone to organise anything else. So a working committee decided that something had to be done and involved Rockware.”
The glass makers was invited to propose a way of helping the factory reduce its waste by 10% and suggested placing bins throughout the plant to collect glass lost from the production line.
Berrymans glass collectors supplied 50 yellow wheelie bins which were placed in accessible locations over the factory floor. Premier employees were also briefed on the scheme.
Malcolm Vernon, logistics director at Rockware, said: “With adjustments to facilities, training and acceptance of new working practices to retain the quality of the waste glass, what was expensive trade waste can be recycled.”
“We are keen to adopt this approach with all customers and other companies that use glass packaging.”
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