New Lyreco Sustainability Strategy: Zero Landfill by the End of 2012

Online, June 16, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Lyreco in the UK, a branch of the European leader in workplace supply solutions distribution, today announced ambitions for its Telford site to become a zero landfill operation by the end of 2012. Lyreco's 2012 ECO Future policy will be expanded to include this objective, and the company has already begun laying the foundations for the initiative through a recent partnership with the Harper Adams University College in Newport, Shropshire.

ECO Future, Lyreco's 2012 sustainability strategy implemented with every partner and subsidiary around the globe, is a comprehensive sustainability initiative that encompasses reducing carbon emissions, slimming down packaging processes and promoting green energy through the use of electric vehicles. It also sets a target to recycle 90% of all waste generated through its activities. Having already achieved this milestone, Lyreco in the UK has gone one step further and has committed its Telford site to becoming a 'zero landfill' operation by the end of the year.

Manel Roura, Quality, Security and Sustainability Manager at Lyreco, said: "This commitment represents the expansion of Lyreco's already comprehensive sustainability initiative. In the coming months, we aim to become a more sustainable and environmentally conscious business, and are positioning ourselves to be the supplier and employer of choice in our industry. This is the time to be visionaries, and to make a positive social and environmental impact in the community in which we work."

Lyreco has taken significant steps towards becoming a zero landfill operation through Harper Adams Energy Limited (HAEL) in Newport, Shropshire.

HAEL ensures that Lyreco's food waste, otherwise destined to be sent to landfill, is collected from the Lyreco Telford site and is transported to the Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant at Harper Adams. This waste is put through the AD process, producing three tangible benefits: firstly, waste is kept from resting in landfill producing methane, secondly, energy is produced for the University College, and thirdly, the process produces digestate, an organic fertiliser used around the agricultural College.

Since the scheme began two months ago, Lyreco has saved just under one tonne of food waste, and is still in the process of implementing new internal recycling procedures to move beyond the waste produced by the on-site canteen kitchen. Based on the current Kg/wk, Lyreco expects to recycle an approximate total of 5.4 tonnes per year, which could increase after internal office trials.

The Harper Adams AD plant, constructed from a government fund, began generating power in 2011 and is financially sustainable. It is expected to produce carbon equivalent savings of around 12,000 tonnes p.a., representing 3.4 times the current emissions from campus buildings.

James Wood, AD Plant Manager, said: "Small, community scale, renewable energy projects like this have two benefits; they provide a secure, reliable and low carbon energy supply, whilst also making use of a valuable waste resource that would otherwise be sent to landfill." Wood continued: "Lyreco, as a leading stationery supplier, looked to expand its environmental statement with the inclusion of recycling food waste. We were the perfect solution. It was an easy process to invest in and one that benefits both parties."

Lyreco's Roura added: "An anaerobic digestion solution provided by a local company is the best sustainable alternative to recover waste food. I would strongly encourage other local businesses to support the scheme."