St Austell aims to be greenest brewer
St Austell has launched a major campaign to cut its carbon footprint by a third and become the greenest brewer and operator in Britain within five years.
Environmental efficiency will now form an integral part of the Cornish brewer's business strategy from the boardroom downwards.
The new plan even inlcudes managing director James Staughton swapping his Mercedes for a Smartcar in St Austell colours.
Other initiatives include:
• Building in new heat recovery and energy saving systems in the brewing process.
• Further developing the brewery's successful local sourcing policy for brewing ingredients and produce used in pubs.
• The majority of the brewery's delivery drays run on bio-diesel and this will be extended to include the entire fleet.
• A company-wide "Switch, Flick and Turn" Energy Campaign will encourage staff to turn off lights, power and water when not needed.
• Reduce paper consumption by 10% in 2008 and use only recycled and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accredited paper.
• Actively choosing environmentally preferable materials as well as suppliers who share the brewery's commitment to protecting the environment
• Introduction of a new category for Environmental Business of the Year in the annual St Austell Brewery Estate Awards to raise awareness.
• Install energy-efficient lighting across the pub estate which will reduce energy use for lighting up to 75%.
• Install waster saving management systems.
"As a family company with a long and proud history in Cornwall, St Austell Brewery is committed to taking a pro-active approach to minimising the environmental impact of our business," said Staughton.
"We already go to great lengths to be environmentally efficient but we've taken the decision to go even further, reducing as much as possible our carbon use in every area of the business with an overall target of a 30% cut in five years."
St Austell environment manager Sally Sandford added: "As a company which is already environmentally conscious we are setting a tough target to cut our carbon footprint by a further third but we believe it's important to challenge the way we operate in all our business streams."
