The reassurance came in the company’s Sustainability Report published today (14 November), which details how the waste management business is striving to become more ‘circular’.
After a year which has seen the future of the UK’s Circular Economy ambitions come under scrutiny, Veolia has said that as a company it will aim for ‘40%’ of its operations to become closed-loop by 2020.
The business suggests that over 25% of its operations are already circular, which will increase with the planned investment in ‘sustainable innovation projects’.
In its report, which touches on some of the milestones reached by the company during the past year, Veolia claims it now diverts up to 98% of customer waste from landfill and generates enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of 1.5 million homes.
In addition, the business now employs over 350 apprentices, and 65% of expenditure on procurement is with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Veolia also refers to its commitment to district heating schemes and energy from waste, which it suggests typically saves its public sector customers ‘20%’ in terms of both costs and carbon emissions.
Circular Economy
Following the referendum in which the UK voted to leave the EU in June, the influence of the Circular Economy appears to be waning on the future of waste policy – with Defra reluctant to support the measures proposed by the European Commission.
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But in July, Estelle Brachlianoff, senior executive vice-president of Veolia UK & Ireland, warned the Environmental Audit Committee in Westminster that landfill tax alone would not help the country pursue its resource agenda in the coming years (see letsrecycle.com story).
‘Bolder’
Commenting on the launch of today’s report, Ms Brachlianoff said: “We need to be even bolder in realising that the circular economy presents for the UK right now. For our customers, tomorrow’s environmental challenges require action and innovation today and in the last year our activities have reduced carbon emissions by 2.15 million tonnes.
“As Responsible Business of the Year this emphasises our progress, and the future opportunities for our customers and the communities we serve.”
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