A round up of environment management news from companies including Coca-Cola, Mars and Philips.
Molson Coors has published a progress report on achieving its 2020 sustainability goals, which include zero waste to landfill, a 25% reduction in energy consumption and a 15% cut in both carbon and water intensity. The company, whose brands include Carling and Staropramen, said that, in 2014, energy use declined 3.4%, CO2 emissions fell 2.4% (7,700 tonnes), and water consumption was reduced by 3.3%. Some 26% and 53% of the 2020 target for energy and carbon reductions respectively have been achieved already.
Coca-Cola has reported that in 2014 it replenished an estimated 94% (153.6 billion litres) of the equivalent amount of water used in its finished beverages worldwide (based on 2014 sales volume). Better management of water resources is one of the soft drinks company’s key sustainability objectives.
Confectionery business Mars has reduced water use from its operations by 15% and cut GHG emissions by 5% since 2007. The company also reports that it sent 80% less waste to landfill in 2014 than in 2007, and that more than 66% of its manufacturing sites now send zero waste to landfill. Mars launched its sustainable-in-a-generation initiative in 2007, which commits it to eliminating fossil fuel use and GHG emissions from its operations by 2040.
Dutch electrical and electronics company Philips has opened its GrowWise farming research centre at the company’s campus in Eindhoven. It will test tailor-made LED “light growth recipes” on different crops – from leafy vegetables to strawberries – to identify the best kind of light each one requires to generate a high-quality yield.
Logistics business UPS increased the number of vehicles in its fleet powered by alternative fuels and advanced technology by 61% in 2014 (more than 5,000) compared with 2013. According to UPS, the number of miles driven by alternatively fuelled vehicles totalled 154 million in 2014, almost three times that in 2013.
Argos has launched a service in partnership with Wrap to enable shoppers to trade in unwanted electrical and electronic gadgets at its 788 UK stores. The items will be refurbished in the UK and resold.
