JD Wetherspoon has been recognised for a prestigious Green Apple Award in Environmental Best Practice at the National Green Apple awards ceremony at the House of Commons for its nationwide initiative to re-use and recycle waste materials from its 700 pubs across the country.
Cory Environmental’s Recycling Services division has been working with JD Wetherspoon, one of the UK’s leading pub chains, since 2004 when Recycling Services won the contract to develop and manage the company’s nationwide recycling initiative. Within a year of the launch, JD Wetherspoon was recognised by the Environment Agency and in the National Recycling Awards for its good environmental practices.
The recycling and re-use operation is managed by Recycling Services at JD Wetherspoon’s national distribution centre in Daventry. Thousands of tonnes of material are processed each year. Cardboard, cans, cooking oil, plastics and other materials are sorted to be re-used and recycled, diverting waste from landfill. A mixture of other items, including kitchen equipment, furniture and clothing are sent for refurbishment and re-use. Plastic trays used to transport goods to the pubs are returned and washed ready for re-use cutting down on primary packaging volume.
JD Wetherspoon won the prestigious Green Champion title in the commerce and industry section of the awards. Mark English, Purchasing and Distribution Manager at JD Wetherspoon, said: “We are delighted that our focus on environmental issues has been recognized again with this important award. It’s a great reflection on everyone involved in making the scheme such a success, including the Recycling Services team at Cory who have been with us since the start and continue to help us develop and improve the operation.”
Vince Kilby, Development Manager at Recycling Services, added: “Good planning and delivery in waste management is important not just for the environment; it also makes sound business sense. Having won High Street Recycling Champion in the Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management only last year, it’s great to see JD Wetherspoon recognized once again as leading the way in their commitment to the environment.”
