Environment

In the prior year we reported on the importance of reducing the direct running costs associated with the use of resources such as water, electricity and coal. Efficient resource usage keeps us competitive in all our service industries, but is especially critical in the laundry business. Subsequently, site surveys were conducted, a report submitted and plans formulated (following board approval) for investment in technologies and operating protocols that would significantly lower the company’s carbon footprint and running costs. Many of these initiatives are already in place, and the company is monitoring resource usage against goals and expectations.

Electricity

Along with other Bidvest divisions we have launched initiatives to more efficiently manage our use of electricity. Among areas for attention are the 26 small laundry operations that use electricity for water heating. New technologies may soon be available that would allow these laundries to operate at much lower temperatures, reducing heating costs. In addition, we are rolling out the Green office policy to reduce our electricity consumption and widen the application of the “reduce, reuse and recycle” concept.

Our laundries have launched a succession of major initiatives:

• following exhaustive analysis, Laundry Services made significant capital investment in continuous batch washer technology, whereby the linen and the water run in opposite directions through the washing process. The process uses about one third of the water of conventional washing machines
• R4,8 million was spent on the heat exchange system. This is expected to result in a 15% saving on our current consumption of 15 000 tons of coal a year
• as reported in the prior year, we are making use of biodiesel from recycled cooking oil, but have confined the project to Cape Town as the supply in Johannesburg became unreliable Fourteen trucks at our Cape Town branch were converted to biodiesel. This project currently replaces about 9 000 litres of fuel a month. Biodiesel supply constraints prevent further rollout. To improve availability we are negotiating with Stellenbosch University
• R30 000 was spent on installing a tracking system for our fleet of 100 trucks. Johannesburg and Durban branches have installed their own diesel tanks and implemented controls to improve efficiency. These initiatives have reduced consumption by between 5 and 9%
• we have cut chemical usage by an estimated 15% and changed to a more environmentally friendly biodegradable product. This initiative includes the reuse of cleaning water and the extraction of chemicals from soiled water for reuse
• we now draw up to 35% of our water from seven boreholes at our facilities in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Sun City. Durban locations are undergoing investigation
• we have a strong recycling campaign well supported by company employees. Company drivers and distribution staff are incentivised to bring back hangers from clients. These are then counted and recycled. As a result, we now achieve over 50% recycled plastic

Steiner

Steiner has adopted a strong environmental approach to its internal processes and its hygiene service offering.

The company incinerates waste that would previously have been dumped in landfills and employs an external agency to conduct an ISO audit of health, safety and environmental issues across all 40 branches.

Steiner Hygiene refurbishes a significant part of its used rental assets for reuse while Kimberly Clark (the biggest paper supplier to Steiner Hygiene) uses only recycled paper.

• the Washroom Deep Clean service is totally environmentally friendly after partnering with Innuscience and its ‘bacterial solutions’
• pest control customers have the choice of a single-feed ‘quick kill’ solution or the environmentally friendly multi-feed solution for rodent control, protecting predators up the food chain such as owls from being poisoned. These products are endorsed by various wildlife associations
• fly control uses a number of enzyme-based, environmentally friendly products
• enzyme-dosing for grease traps and odour control is environmentally friendly
• Heritage Environmental Rating company supports SES through training and ongoing audits of its branches, aiming at total ISO14001 compliance by June 2010

Konica Minolta

Has adopted a zero waste approach and commits to the FTFA Carbon Standard programme in an effort to offset carbon emissions. The business operates an internationally recognised ISO 14001-based environmental management system and is committed to helping prevent global warming over the product lifecycle by reducing CO₂ emissions from business sites during product manufacture and distribution, the sales process and product use.

• the recycling of ‘e-scrap’, with the assurance of technology protection and environmentally conscious recycling methods
• all materials used for Bizhub multifunctional printers are either recyclable or recycled
• all Konica Minolta environmental activities are part of the general management philosophy called ‘the Creation of New Value’
• the planting of 4 100 trees before the end of this year in an effort to offset carbon emissions – a partnership with South Africa’s national greening and food gardening organisation, Food & Trees for Africa
• a new warehouse that uses natural light for more than 95% of operating hours

Prestige Cleaning

The business has changed from PVC bottles for storage of cleaning chemicals at sites to PET sachets, cutting transport costs. The sachets are completely recyclable.

Hotel Amenities Suppliers

All plastic used by the business has been converted from PVC to PET while all board is biodegradable recycled packaging. All perfumes are synthetic (no natural components which are harmful to the environment).

Execuflora

Recycles into compost all dead or unusable plant material and soil.

TopTurf

The operation is in the process establishing compost-from-cuttings processing at some of its projects for major clients. This will reduce the use of fertiliser.