The back-hauled waste from each store goes to M&S distribution centres where it is then collected, sorted and reprocessed by Severnside or its strategic partner, Shanks Waste Management.
Strong emphasis has been placed on helping to maximise the sustainable performance of all M&S operations. Working with Severnside and Shanks, M&S is committed to developing relationships with suppliers to enable the retailer to reuse its own waste through its procurement processes. For example, waste plastics are recycled into new plastic bags for M&S, while packaging is recycled into new packaging or tissue products, which are used or sold by the retailer.
Organic waste is now converted into renewable energy via biomass-to-energy plants. By 2012, this material will be processed via anaerobic digestion through Shanks Waste Management. This approach will generate around six million KWh of renewable energy by 2012 to be sold back to the National Grid.
A year on This new waste management process has had a significant impact on the M&S operation over the last 12 months and the retailer is on track to meet its targets. At a store level, recycling rates have exceeded expectations due to the simplification of processes that enable waste to be separated just once.
This has been supported by a thorough and continuous communication programme, as Price explained: “It doesn’t matter how innovative a system is if it’s not used correctly. We’ve set up a programme to explain how the system works, the benefits it will deliver and regularly undertake meetings on the ground to iron out potential issues that arise during implementation. This is helped by M&S employees who support the Plan A ethos and embrace the processes that will deliver significant environmental change.”
This approach has also delivered significant financial savings for the retailer: “We’ve not only managed to reduce waste management costs by handling all waste through our distribution centres rather than 711 stores, we’re also protecting ourselves from the annual landfill tax rises,” said Keepax.
Working towards zero waste M&S is well on target to meet its 2012 objectives when it comes to waste. From June 2010, Severnside will also commence handling the post consumer food waste generated through M&S’ hospitality operations including M&S Cafés, in-store bakeries and restaurants – meaning that all the organic waste will be put to helping to generate renewable energy for the National Grid.
M&S and Helistrat Management Services, along with Severnside, will now turn to focus on finding ways to minimise waste arising at the outset. The waste audits
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conducted by Severnside provide greater visibility of the amount and types of waste still being generated. Now that many of the bigger wins have been achieved, finding sustainable solutions for the smaller ones – such as ceramics, glass and non-fibre office waste – is key.
“There is still much to be done, and we’re not just focusing on how to recycle waste,” said Price. “We’re going to be helping M&S reduce levels of waste arising in the first place. This could include identifying more difficult to recycle materials and working with procurement teams to find alternative options. This full circle view will not only help M&S in achieving Plan A but is something all organisations need to embrace. Taking a joined up approach to procurement and waste management decisions is critical moving forward, as the former can have significant impact on the latter. Achieving that magic zero waste to landfill figure is only going to happen if these two functions work hand in hand.”
Marks & Spencer Plan A commitments include: No operational waste to landfill - aiming to ensure that M&S operations in the UK and Republic of Ireland (stores, offices and warehouses) will send no waste to landfill.
Food waste (reduction) - having reduced food waste we plan to work with suppliers to improve stock planning by developing the accuracy of our systems for forecasting demand.
Food waste (alternative disposal) - sending all remaining food waste to some form of recycling including composting and anaerobic digestion.
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