2010 Case Study - Tullis Russell Coaters

Best Environmental Practice

Tullis Russell Coaters' Macclesfield site won the SME category for fully integrating environmental performance into its business practices.

The business manufactures and supplies coated security paper and films for a global market. Its Macclesfield site, which employs fewer than 250 employees, has been supported by Groundwork Cheshire, the Carbon Trust, Defra and Envirowise to make a wide range of resource efficiency improvements and gain the full support of all employees on site. Measures have included simple steps such as turning down thermostats, implementing routine power-downs of equipment and fitting low energy lighting.

Energy use has been further reduced by fitting insulation to the factory’s steam pipes, heat exchangers to the coating machine ovens and an economiser to the boiler. A waste paper compactor and tipper bins have been installed and waste is now segregated for pre-treatment and recycled, to reduce the amount diverted to landfill.

Results:

- ISO14001 standard for Environmental Management Systems.
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation for sustainable use of raw materials.
- Annual CO₂ emissions reduced by 46%.
- Annual water use reduced by 74 m³.
- 81% reduction in waste being diverted to landfill in the last three years.
- Overall carbon footprint reduced by 17%.
- Competing globally and supplying to major international brands.
- £374,000 annual cost savings achieved and used to support ongoing investment.
- Eligibility for an energy efficiency discount from the annual Climate Change Levy.

What the judges said:

"Their plans for the future are innovative – including solar panels and a growing eco range. Their commitment to community engagement and work with schools shows they have gone the extra mile, making them deserving winners."
"Savings from staff initiatives and environmental best practice have become integrated into the business. There has been profound cultural change and all the staff have bought into it and got involved."

www.tullis-russell.co.uk/coaters

Runner-Up

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Opened in 1986, Sandcastle Waterpark is the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, featuring 18 water slides and attracting 350,000 visitors every year. Its commitment to sustainable practice is embedded in its business plan and it has implemented a wide range of resource efficiency initiatives and a successful staff awareness drive.

The owners have installed a 'liquid pool blanket' system to reduce heat loss, low energy lighting with motion sensors, compressed air leak detectors, water saving push taps and shower heads, variable speed drives on the filtration pumps, urinal cistern controls and timers on bottle and display coolers. Compressors are being used to optimise energy usage during wave pool operation, wastage of chemicals is minimised and a thermal imaging survey has been completed to identify new ways to save energy. Staff are encouraged to recycle waste, cycle or use public transport to travel to work and switch off lights and computers when not in use.

As a result, the attraction exceeded its total energy reduction target of 8% in 2009, made combined annual energy savings of 1.04 million kiloWatt hours and reduced waste by 160,000 litres a year through recycling. It won the Lancashire Business Environment Carbon Management (Small Business) and Northwest Chambers of Commerce Regional Green Awards in 2009 and the Blackpool Tourism Environmental Award in 2008. It also joined the national Green Business Tourism Award scheme in 2010.