Services provider Sodexo UK & Ireland has won a Footprint Award in the ‘Waste Management and Reduction’ category for helping Central Manchester University’s NHS Foundation Trust reduce its food waste by 64.5 per cent.
Sodexo was recognised for its facilities management service that comprised a food waste segregation strategy.
A Sodexo spokesperson said: "We are delighted to have our work at Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recognised at these awards. Our team has worked extremely hard to develop and implement the waste management programme at what is a large and complex site."
Footprint Award winners
Recognising sustainability throughout the entire foodservice supply chain, the Footprint Awards identifies ‘responsible business best practice within the industry’.
Other award winners include Johnson’s Stalbridge Linen Services, which won the ‘Energy Efficiency Award’ for its £1.3 million upgrade of its factory laundry in Sturminster Newton. The capital investment programme saw the company install a more efficient boiler to provide steam for pressing; a heat exchanger to reuse heat from waste water to heat incoming water; and a continuous batch washer that uses 50 percent less water than its predecessor.
Compostable food packaging company Vegware picked up two awards at the ceremony at the Royal Institute of British Architects on 23 May; the ‘Innovations in Packaging Award’ for its ‘entirely re-usable, compostable, plastic-free sealable container’, known as the Gourmet Hot Box; and the ‘Sustainable Supplier Award’ for its range of ‘completely compostable catering disposables’.
Speaking at the event, Nick Fenwicke-Clennell, CEO of Footprint Media Group said: “This year’s award winners demonstrate just how far the agenda has moved on since the inaugural Footprint Awards in 2011. Whether it’s in the area of natural resource, energy or waste, the campaigns and initiatives being pioneered by companies large and small are on the one hand increasingly sophisticated while on the other hand, seemingly becoming ‘second nature’ for companies. It will be interesting to see just how far we have moved on when it comes to judging next year’s awards.”
Charlie Miers, Managing Director of the Footprint Media Group added: “We know from everyone who entered this year’s awards that organisations large and small from across all aspects of the food chain are making great strides in reducing the impact of their processes or services on the environment and on society, acting as flag bearers promoting sustainability within the industry. You don’t have to be big to be making a big impact and realising the benefits in this area.”
Winners of the 12 categories were chosen by a panel of ‘expert judges’, including WRAP’s Retail Programme Manager, Charlotte Henderson (who manages WRAP’s Hospitality and Food Service Agreement).
Read more about the Footprint Awards.
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