FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
On Wednesday 26th January FMJ & Advetec presented a webinar on how biotechnology can help FMs achieve their sustainability goals and reduce food waste.
Sara Bean, Editor of FMJ was joined by Dr Stephen Wise, Chief Strategic Development Officer, Advetec along with a panel of experts:
Rochelle Gee, Head of Property Services Operations, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Chris Havers, Programme Director Acclaro Advisory & SFMI
Ray Parmenter, CChem MRSC, MCIWM, CIWM: Head of Policy and Technical
Beginning the discussion, the panel reflected on the 11 million tonnes of waste which is still going to landfill or for incineration each year, and pointed out that many organisations presume that the majority of their waste is recycled, when in reality over half still goes to landfill or to be incinerated.
This explained Stephen Wise, is because when food and other organic matter is mixed with general waste it can’t be sorted, meaning it has to be buried or burned – which creates more carbon emissions.
Rochelle Gee of Buckingham Healthcare NHS Trust revealed her organisation is working with Advetec to help address this issue and has already reduced the amount of waste being produced. The additional advantage is, that because waste is treated on site, this has cut down the volume of collections required.
Ray Parmenter of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management gave delegates an update on the CIWM’s new strategy to support the global transition to a world beyond waste, and explained why he believes the COP27 summit must put more effort into addressing the circular economy.
Chris Havers was on hand to explain that FMs which perform well in the SFMI sustainability Index tend to ensure buy in from all stakeholders in helping their organisations to meet waste reduction and wider sustainability targets.
A poll carried out during the event found that only around half of delegates had ever audited their waste handler. This helps illustrate why the panel agreed that improving the audit trial for the green disposal of waste will grow in importance in the future.
