Epson achieves zero landfill waste certification

Print consumables manufacturer joins elite eco-friendly club

Epson UK's Telford factory is claiming to be the first firm in the country to achieve a Valpak zero waste to landfill accreditation.

Kevin Browne, managing director of Epson Telford, said that in his view end customers are increasingly including environmental factors in their buying decisions.

"This gives our channel partners the confidence of environmental provenance," Browne said.

The 55-acre Telford facility – which makes print consumables – is Epson's only manufacturer in Europe.

Valpak, a waste management services provider for Epson, had approached the company to be "an ambassador for recycling best-practice" through the new accreditation, according to an Epson PR statement.

"In June 2012 a team of auditors from Valpak were welcomed by Epson Telford staff to audit waste streams and establish the benchmarks for the award," it continued. "[The standards are] zero waste to landfill, no more than five per cent of waste to be incinerated and a requirement for 95 per cent of all waste to be recycled and returned to the marketplace."

According to Defra's website, 50 per cent of waste collected by local authorities in the UK was sent to landfill in 2010-11, compared with a European Union average across 27 nations of 40 per cent.

"Reducing waste and making the best use of resources is not just good for the environment, it can save businesses money and support growth," it said.

Other UK-based companies that have so far achieved zero waste to landfill recognition include packaging manufacturer Printpack. In early December it announced it now recycles, reuses or converts to energy 100 per cent of its waste at both its UK sites.

Meanwhile, new and refurbished computer reseller and recycler Airedale Computers and electronics distributor RS Components have, according to the UK's ZeroWaste Awards organisation, won Bronze awards for making progress towards their zero waste to landfill goal.