As part of its mission to achieve net zero business practices, Northampton based building products manufacturer Forterra has teamed up with textiles disposal company Avena to develop a workwear recycling programme across its UK sites.
Following a successful trial at Forterra’s Kings Dyke site, the programme has been rolled out to all 17 of Forterra’s manufacturing facilities, with non site-based staff able to utilise the recycling facilities at the site most convenient to them.
Avena’s 0% landfill policy provides a sustainable end of life process for all textiles and PPE, and as the only company in the UK that offers shredding as an alternative to incineration and landfill they are the perfect choice for Forterra to align with.
The old uniforms and PPE will be recycled in the most effective way, this includes the material being reused, turned into insulation or made into chips for energy generation.
David Manley, Forterra’s Head of Sustainability said, “As a business we’re looking into every aspect of our operations to work more sustainably, from our manufacturing processes to our energy sources. We have set ambitious ESG targets to reduce our carbon emissions by a further 32% by 2030, and I’m very proud that we’re on our way to achieving them.
“350,000 tonnes of textiles are sent to landfill each year, and we’re delighted that Forterra will no longer be contributing to that figure.”
This recycling programme follows a series of other important sustainability measures announced by Forterra, including a solar farm that will supply 70% of its electricity needs by 2025, a reduction in single use plastic used to wrap its products, the use of HVO (bio diesel) fuel to power all its mobile machinery at its Measham facility, and a £21 million investment in its haulage fleet.
For more information on Forterra’s sustainability efforts visit https://www.forterra.co.uk/sustainability/.
