Less Water With Your Food and Drink
22nd February 2008
Categories: Green & Local
A major new initiative has been launched to encourage food and drink businesses to save water - and associated costs. FHC2020, a collaboration between the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and Envirowise, hopes that by 2020 the food and drink industry will be saving 140 million litres of wasted water a day, at a combined cost of £60 million per year.
Twenty-one of the leading food industry manufacturers, giants like Schweppes, Mars and Birds Eye, have signed up to the FHC2020 initiative, although organisers stress that every food and drink business, no matter how small, can pledge to cut water wastage and benefit from the resource saving advice and tips on offer through both FHC2020 and Envirowise.
The food and drink sector is one of the heaviest users of water in the UK. It is estimated that sites that have never looked at their water usage and wastage before can immediately save up to 30% on their water and effluent bills, just by implementing simple water saving measures.
FHC2020 is a membership organisation available to all businesses in the food and drink sector, though currently geared more towards food manufacturers. Find out more at www.fhc2020.co.uk.
Envirowise is a government funded programme of information, advice and guidance for businesses on using resources effectively - saving businesses money as well as taking care of the environment. The website www.envirowise.gov.uk is packed with advice, case studies and tips. Businesses can telephone the helpline for free, confidential advice, visit the website to download resources and register specific questions online to be answered by a panel of resource experts. Eligible businesses can also receive free, on-site visits to help identify and target wastage.
Find out more at www.envirowise.gov.uk, or call 0800 585794.
Quick Links
- Go to the Green Tourism Business Scheme website
- Use Business Link's environmental compliance tool
- Find business advice on the Envirowise website
- Find environmental regulations for tourism businesses on the NetRegs website
- Find out more about local food at the Local Food Works website
- Visit Northumbria Larder for regional food ideas
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