Swedish motorcycle and garden equipment manufacturer Husqvarna is to have its greenhouse-gas emission (GHG) reduction target approved by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTI). The SBTI works with firms to set targets that are consistent with the global effort to keep temperature increases well below 2°C. The Husqvarna Group is committed to reducing its emissions intensity by 10% across its value chain by 2020 and its absolute GHG emissions by 33% by 2035 compared with 2015 levels. Measures being taken to achieve the targets include switching from petrol to battery products and generating energy from solar panels on its own buildings.
Spirits business Bacardi has reported progress in meeting many of its key social and environmental commitments. The firm said it had already exceeded 2017 targets under its ‘Good Spirited’ global environmental sustainability initiative, including improving water use efficiency by 1.8% over the 2015 financial year to 46.4% and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions intensity by 20% compared with 2006. Seven of the 29 facilities have already achieved the company’s zero waste to landfill goal and the whole business is expected to have met it by 2022.
A joint project by Caffè Nero and recycling firm First Mile aims to collect waste coffee grounds in Greater London and re-purpose them into pellets for wood burners. The coffee retailer said that by July its baristas in 122 Caffè Nero outlets across Greater London will have helped to repurpose 218 tonnes of used coffee grounds into 98 tonnes of biomass pellets. The two businesses are also exploring how to refine oils from the coffee waste to create biodeisel.
Meanwhile, Costa Coffee, part of the Whitbread Group, has launched a nationwide cup recycling scheme. It will be available in more than 2,000 stores and guarantees the recycling of any paper takeaway cup, including those from competitors. Costa’s waste partner Veolia will transport them to specialist waste processing plants. Costa claimed the scheme was the first of its kind among coffee shop retailers.
