Some examples of our reduce, reuse, recycle initiatives include:
- Eliminating wastes by investing in new technology. We use centrifuges to recover beer from yeast that had previously ended up as waste. We purchase our main materials in bulk containers rather than in bags or small drums.
- Initiating cleaner production programs involving continuous improvement systems and the involvement of our people.
- Recycling materials including aluminium, scrap metal, glass, PET and other plastic materials, cardboard, paper, corks, photocopier and printer toner cartridges.
- Returning materials including steel kegs, bottles (NZ), timber pallets, plastic trays, metal and plastic drums, bulky bags and boxes, masonite board and cardboard cartons to suppliers and our business units for re-use.
- Recycling water, oils, lubricants, solvents, steam condensate and detergents that would otherwise end up in our effluent stream or would need to be disposed of in regulated waste disposal sites.
- Obtaining value from by-products produced during the process. Extracted brewer’s grains/hops are sent away for animal feed and excess yeast is used for Vegemite production. Carbon dioxide from the brewing process is collected and reused. Material from our beer filters and the stalks, marc and prunings from the vineyards, which are rich in nutrients, are used as a compost for enriching the soil.
- Reducing our effluent volume by reducing water usage and effluent loading by minimising product, yeast and detergent losses to drain.
Lion Breweries, Auckland - Reduction of Packaging Waste
In 2005, waste sent to landfill was reduced by approximately 400 tonnes per annum at Lion’s Auckland Brewery. The result was achieved through:
- Improved recycling - 216 tonnes
- Improved packaging material use - 24 tonnes
- Re-use of single trip pallets - 162 tonnes
Waste materials including non-returnable glass, returnable bottles, aluminium cans, plastic wrapping, cardboard and wooden pallets are generated from Lion’s three packaging lines. Changes were made to existing practices to maximise the potential for recycling.
The first step was communicating the problem to the teams. This was followed by environmental awareness programs and regular feedback on recycling initiatives using team meetings and newsletters.
Teams identified high waste areas of the process and opportunities for recycling. The materials are now properly segregated and there is a focussed effort on recycling.
Waste glass needs to be separated by colour. The existing glass reclaim system was improved by using smaller bins which reduces the risks of glass contamination. Around 560 tonnes of glass is now recycled annually.
Plastic wrapping material is collected and baled rather than disposed of loose. This has reduced site traffic (lower collection frequency), reduced storage volume and increased the value of the material.
Corrugated cardboard waste is now compressed into bales using equipment supplied by recycling partners. Baling units have been strategically placed to ensure maximum recovery. Storage volume of cardboard has been reduced to one-third. Approximately 120 tonnes of corrugated board is recycled annually.
A small quantity of PET bottles is filled and, rather than send to landfill, these are now compacted and recycled.
Large quantities of packaging materials are received on single-trip wooden pallets. The specification for these pallets has been changed to enable reuse as pallets for export beer to international markets. Pallets in excess of these requirements are collected and rendered into bark chips which are used in garden landscaping. Other wooden packaging materials are also recycled and the estimated reduction of waste to landfill from these initiatives is 162 tonnes.