Grundon Waste Management (Grundon) has announced that it has become the ‘first of the major waste industry players’ to see its 491-road vehicles become CarbonNeutral® certified.

Grundon has invested in a three-year programme in partnership with The CarbonNeutral Company, which will offset vehicle emissions and support a community reforestation project in rural Uganda. The transport fleet officially gained CarbonNeutral® certification on 1 January.

The waste management company expects to reduce its carbon emissions by 30,000 tonnes over the course of the programme.

Grundon’s Compliance Manager Toni Robinson (pictured above), said: “We’re proud to be leading the industry and setting new standards in environmental management. Over the last decade we have put considerable focus on improving our environmental credentials and have successfully reduced our carbon footprint by almost 80 per cent.

“This is the next really big step and it’s one we’re incredibly excited and passionate about. For us, this is about so much more than just a sticker on the side of a truck, it’s a tangible demonstration of our commitment to continue to cut carbon emissions and, most importantly, it will have a huge benefit for the community in Uganda who we are helping.”

Carbon offset scheme

The scheme works by paying smallhold farmers in Uganda to plant trees in a bid to offset carbon, help reverse local deforestation, reduce soil erosion, and improve local biodiversity. Communities can also benefit from having an added food source if farmers choose to plant fruit or nut trees in the area.

According to The Carbon Neutral Company, farmers are paid per tree planted, and can expect to take a share of the 70 per cent of net carbon revenues which go to members.

The programme also provides:

• training and facilities to improve crop production;
• advice on seed preparation and growing young trees;
• assistance with additional projects such as bee keeping, to provide further income; and
• builds knowledge and understanding on health issues, such as malaria and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Since the Uganda scheme began in 2003, around 6,284 members across 691 villages have planted nearly 4.5 million trees.

Nathan Wimble from The CarbonNeutral Company, said: “Grundon’s action and commitment to this project in Uganda is a terrific example of a business taking responsibility for its impact on the environment.

“Along with its impressive reductions in its carbon footprint, Grundon is setting a high bar for achievement.”

Read more about Grundon or The CarbonNeutral Company.