FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS EXPERT’S VIEW
DR STEPHEN WISE,
CHIEF STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANY, ADVETEC
We cannot fix climate change until we transform the global economy, so it’s unsurprising that the circular economy is set to top the agenda of the upcoming COP26. To help put the world on a trajectory to deliver a net zero future, we must accelerate the move to a more sustainable, resource-efficient circular economy. The benefits are undeniable and far-reaching; lower emissions, reduced waste, a more competitive economy, opportunities for new industries – the list goes on.
The circular economy forms a key part of the solution to tackle climate change and to fulfil the objectives set out in the Paris Agreement. However, the reality is that there’s no silver bullet to achieving net zero carbon emissions. Instead, we must take a holistic approach to how we manage waste.
It may come as a surprise to learn that despite improved education and society becoming savvier about ‘thinking green’, 11 million tonnes of waste still go to landfill each year in the UK – enough to cover the whole of Cornwall and Devon if spread one metre deep! It’s an astonishing figure and one that highlights the importance of thinking outside of the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ box.
In order to make the radical changes needed to achieve net zero, we must address the fate of all waste, including non-recyclable. Every 100 tonnes of residual industrial and commercial waste that goes to landfill generates 47 tonnes of CO2e, plus the transportation of waste for disposal produces further CO2 and particulate emissions. The environmental impact of this so-called ‘forgotten waste’ cannot be ignored – in addition to sustainability strategies focused on the circular economy, FMs must make an overall commitment to reducing the amount of waste that leaves site. Only when the two run in parallel, can businesses stand a more realistic chance of achieving net zero.
Sending waste to landfill is the least desirable option. It releases greater quantities of greenhouse gases such as methane, produces leachate which requires treatment and can lead to offensive odours which can be harmful to both the environment and public health. Sending waste to incineration means the energy can be recovered but everything is combusted, which leads to greater carbon emissions.
By embracing biotechnology, organisations are able to cut up to 50 per cent of waste sent for disposal through innovation – drastically reducing their carbon footprint. Unique blends of bacteria are added to the residual waste and the organic fraction is digested inside enclosed aerobic reactors, which are installed on-site. The only bi-products of the aerobic digestion process is carbon dioxide and water vapour and all that’s left behind is the inorganic fraction, such as plastics which has a potential number of uses.
This decentralised approach to waste management not only promotes the circular economy and negates the potential for landfill, but encourages businesses to take more responsibility for their own waste – an essential part of future-proofing waste management strategies and accelerating the journey to net zero.
FM SERVICES SUPPLIER’S VIEW
CATHERINE BURROWS,
HEAD OF WASTE MANAGEMENT AT SODEXO UK & IRELAND
We are embedding circular economy approaches in our offers to clients and our operations to ensure all waste streams have a beneficial use and nothing goes to waste. While we have already made great leaps to cut carbon emissions, such as achieving 98 per cent electricity consumption from renewable sources in directly operated sites, it is its indirect impact on supply chain and client sites (scope 3) where we believe the greatest advances can be made.
As an organisation that produces millions of meals every year, the prevention of food waste is an area top priority, and one which presents multiple opportunities to innovate.
According to the United Nations, one-third of the world’s food goes to waste, and producing, transporting and letting food rot releases eight to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gases. It’s therefore apparent how much of a game changer food-waste prevention is for hitting 2050 targets. We have introduced initiatives to address this throughout the ‘food waste lifecycle’, from supply chain and production, to the kitchen, plate and beyond.
Sodexo is accelerating towards its commitment to reduce food waste by 50 per cent by 2025 with the continued deployment of WasteWatch, powered by Leanpath, a comprehensive food waste prevention programme. To date WasteWatch has so far saved over 294 tonnes of food waste in the UK and Ireland which is equivalent to 2,041 tonnes of CO2 and is enabling clients such as Leeds Nuffield Hospital to significantly reduce deliveries, saving further emissions.
Anything remaining on the plate or kitchen chopping board is then fed to aerobic and anaerobic digestion systems, putting it back into the food chain as fertiliser or generating energy.
It is not just waste generated in our kitchens and restaurants we need to address, WRAP estimates that 7.2 per cent of food harvested from UK farms doesn’t reach the market. Sodexo’s responsible sourcing strategy plays a key role here, procuring food and ingredients that help minimise carbon footprint and waste, including encouraging smart use of ‘rescued’ produce.
Sodexo is committed to redistributing food that would otherwise be thrown away. Around 8,000 meals have been saved through Too Good to Go, an app which sells surplus food at discounted rates. Further work is done with charities through the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation to redistribute food to thousands of community groups.
Lastly, Sodexo’s partnerships with environmental experts including the WWF have helped develop science-based targets specifically for cutting food wastage and reducing environmental impact of procuring and selling food.
Transparency, authenticity and real change are fundamental to our approach to meeting and exceeding our environmental targets ahead of 2050. We are grateful to our clients, partners such as WWF-UK and WRAP as well as our suppliers for sharing our goals and working with us to achieve them.
Sodexo’s responsibility to protect the Planet remains, as it has always been, at the forefront of its business strategy. It conducts its business in such a way that it brings positive impact to the world, drives progress, and respects the resources on which our future depends.
