Teams across the company’s south-west pub estate are aiming to double the amount of waste being recycled as part of the plan, with a goal of hitting the 80% target by the end of this year.
From educating and engaging colleagues on correct recycling, through to minimising food waste, St Austell Brewery is aiming to reduce its environmental footprint while also rewarding teams for hitting their targets.
All of St Austell Brewery’s managed pubs now have colour-coded bins that are divided into three categories:
• Dry mixed recycling for tins, cans, paper, dry cardboard, foil, magazines, plastic containers and metal lids
• Food waste for tea bags, coffee grounds, bones and uneaten food
• General waste for anything else
Leaderboard for pubs
The Cornwall-based brewer, which owns more than 160 pubs across the West Country, including managed houses and tenancies, is also rolling out a supporting employee encouragement plan to drive engagement and participation.
This includes a leaderboard for pubs, where the team with the highest reduction in waste overall will be rewarded with online vouchers to spend every quarter.
Helen Sprason, area manager and member of the Sustainability Steering Committee at St Austell Brewery, said: “One of the first things we did when we started the project was to engage our pub teams about proper recycling.
“For some team members this involved a trip to Biffa’s Redruth mixed recycling facility to get a first-hand look at the importance of thorough recycling. We recognise that, given our scale, we have a huge opportunity to really make a difference.
“Last year, we successfully reduced total waste in our managed pub estate by 40%, and we are now aiming for an even greater impact.”
Bold target
St Austell Brewery sustainability manager Emily Coon said: “Reducing general waste by 80% is a bold target but through our partnership with Biffa and a steadfast commitment to proper waste segregation, the initiative is already making a big difference.”
Following the launch of the waste scheme in its managed pubs, the company plans to extend it across its two breweries (St Austell and Hare, near Bath) and its head office and depots across the south-west.
Its average reductions in waste range from 5% to 15% with Haveners pub in Fowey, making an “exceptional improvement”. At the start of the year, general waste made up 46% of its total waste but have reduced that to just 10.82%.
Biffa Cornwall head office account director Paul Tregunna said: “This is a substantial undertaking, particularly in the hospitality sector, and we are proud to be supporting St Austell Brewery with this important initiative.
“We look forward to fully supporting the company’s ambitious efforts to improve sustainability and waste management across all of its managed pub estate.”
