Corporate Responsibility

Environmental Programme

ISO14001

During the implementation of the BS EN ISO 14001 environmental management system across our business we have embedded a culture of environmental awareness and resource efficiency. Due to this we have been successful in making a number of improvements in optimising our energy and water usage and reducing the level of packaging used on our products. This programme will continue through 2008. The integration of the Strathmore Water business has required changes to the factory and warehouse processes to achieve certification to the internationally recognised environmental management system, BS EN ISO 14001. The team at Forfar attained this recognition in November 2007.

Pollution Prevention and Control

With the closure of our Atherton factory during 2007, the Pollution Prevention and Control Permit for this site was surrendered. In October 2007 the Environment Agency reported satisfaction that the site had suffered no environmental degradation.

We submit regular environmental reports to both the Environment Agency and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency for our remaining permits. All our applications, permits, surrender documentation and reports are publicly available from the Agencies.

Climate Change Levy

The fourth Climate Change Levy ‘Milestone Year’ ended in September 2008. The government targets are becoming more challenging with greater reduction in energy usage needed year-on-year. In each 'Milestone Year' to date we have achieved the required energy target across the company. The current Climate Change Levy rebate scheme ends in 2010. Over the ten year lifetime of the scheme, we will have had to reduce energy usage by 20% in return for energy tax rebates. By using more energy efficient equipment and processes we are well-placed to achieve the required 20% reduction ensuring receipt of the Levy rebate until 2012.

Utilities Monitoring

In 2009, we will commission the installation of a utilities monitoring system at our Cumbernauld manufacturing site. This is following on from the successful completion of a similar system at our Mansfield factory. This has reduced their energy consumption by 7%.

Potential Wind Energy Development at Cumbernauld

This is a very important development for the company because the electricity that the wind turbine would generate will be the equivalent of 60% of the total electrical energy demand of the Cumbernauld site thus reducing our carbon dioxide emissions by 2,800 tonnes per annum - this is equivalent to the CO2 emissions from a family car driving 12,000,000 miles.

Bottle Blowing Efficiences at Mansfield

At our Mansfield Factory, a major upgrade in our bottle blowing capability has not only provided us with greater capacity, but with a smaller energy footprint. The new bottle blowing equipment can deliver the same number of bottles produced on the old equipment during 2007/08 whilst emitting 100 tonnes less CO2. This is enough to carbonate 13 million cans of IRN-BRU.