Airedale Chemical, a chemicals manufacturer based in West Yorkshire, has gained international recognition for environmental work by The Green Organisation.
Airedale Chemical has won a Green Apple award in the category for Environmental Best Practice.
The company was up against 500 other nominations and will be awarded at the House of Commons on November 16 due thanks to its commitment to sending zero waste to landfill.
Airedale has now been invited to have its winning paper published in The Green Book, an international work reference on best environmental practices that will allow others around the world to learn from their example.
Airedale Chemical could also go on to represent the UK in the Green World Awards and the European Business Awards for the Environment.
The Green Organisation is an international independent environment group that recognises environmental best practice globally.
The Green Apple Awards is one of the organisation’s flagship events and encourages sustainable development and use of resources, and rewards companies that make a positive impact on the environment.
Karen Waddington, health and safety advisor at Airedale Chemicals and the person who set up the ‘Zero to Landfill’ scheme commented:“It is so rewarding to be recognised for the efforts we made to positively affect our impact on the environment.
“It all started during a routine health and safety analysis of the site where we identified areas within our recycling procedures which could be improved.
“Since then it has snowballed into a company-wide initiative, a brand new waste management policy and now this amazing accolade.”
The company has invested almost £4,000 in a new machine that crushes waste in to bales that can then be collected and transported by a local recycling firm, as well as having a recycling station set up on the premises.
Airedale Chemicals recycles around two tonnes every month, with the company receiving a 40% increase in rebate for each tonne of recycled waste.
Waddingtonadded: “This initiative has not only involved new waste management practices but we have also changed the way we think about our waste as an organisation. Every member of staff has bought into this scheme which is one of the main reasons it has been so successful.”
Chris Chadwick, sales director of Airedale Chemical, explained: “As a chemical manufacturer we strive to develop our waste reduction processes and minimise our carbon footprint.
“Other ‘think green’ initiatives implemented in the last year include recycling all our on-site waste water for use in chemical production, and fleet vehicles which convert nitrogen dioxide into nitrogen and steam to reduce pollution.”
