Recycling its own waste is returning a profit for the Co operative

Paying to dispose of business waste is a drain for most companies. Reducing the amount of waste produced is an obvious step to cutting the bills, but the Co-operative Group has gone one step further.

It began by setting up their Recycling Centre in central Manchester in 2005. To all outward appearances, this massive warehouse seems like all the others in its vicinity in Dantzic Street; but what makes it so different to its neighbours is the occupation of those inside.

Hundreds of tonnes of waste paper are brought here each year from the Co-operative’s iconic CIS Tower, its city centre HQ, and assorted other buildings.


THE END PRODUCT

The recycling centre sorts, shreds and bales waste paper from its head office buildings. These bales are then pulped and turned into own-brand recycled kitchen and toilet rolls, which are sold in The Co-operative Food stores. This closed loop process is the ultimate in recycling.

Closed-loop recycling means utilizing the waste which is generated as part of your day-to-day activities to produce another product, which can then be used within your business. Closed-loop recycling reduces the raw materials needed to manufacture a product and reduces waste sent to landfill.

The Co-operative Group’s Head of Workplace Services, Katherine Morris, believes that the Recycling Centre has brought the Group other benefits. She said: “This initiative is a great example of an environmental initiatives that makes our staff proud to work for the Co-operative.

“In 2009 alone, the Recycling Centre recycled 786 tonnes of The Co-operative Group’s waste. It demonstrates what can be done to close the loop in the waste cycle. As well as recycling our own waste, we have also been in a position to take on several waste paper disposal contracts for other companies in the city.”


EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

The recycling centre has an education facility on site known as Waste Works, which is designed to show recycling in action.

Waste Works is managed on the Co-operative’s behalf by environmental charity Waste Watch. The facility offers a curriculum-linked education programme to Key Stage 2 for school children aged 7 to 11-years-old and has attracted visitors from across Greater Manchester and the Northwest.

Since it opened in 2007, more than 12,000 school pupils, staff and members of the public have visited the centre.

John Atkinson, Waste Watch Education Centre Manager said: “We recognise that waste management is a big environmental issue facing our society, so it is vital that we raise awareness amongst the next generation.

“Waste Works offers a unique, hands-on learning experience. It offers a memorable school visit to teach children not only about recycling but also wider environmental issues such as climate change.”

NOT FOR EVERYONE?

Whilst turning an overhead into a new revenue stream is an inspirational idea, it’s not an option for every business. There are, however, some good ideas to cut basic overheads. This story from Business Link shows how manufacturer Gilt Edged productions managed to save £2000p.a.