Varsity Packaging – Environmental Statement

Varsity adopts, wherever possible, a sustainable approach to its business. The company has modern offices that are equipped with energy efficient lighting, heating and power reduction measures that ensure unoccupied spaces do not consume unnecessary energy.

Our supplying Mills operate integrated systems that help to reduce waste and increase energy efficiency. In particular, Frohnleiten Mill (Austria) has produced an environmental statement giving an account of the results of the implementation of the regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the council of 22 December 2009, allowing voluntary participation by organisations in a community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS 111).

Varsity source extensively from Mills that subscribe to internationally recognised standards such as ISEGA, ISO, HACCP and EMAS.

We take great care to ensure that customer deliveries are optimised to reduce delivery miles and ensure maximum vehicle utilisation. For more information on our sustainable approach to transport and fuel use see the statement below from Howard Tenens – Varsity’s UK logistics partner.

Howard Tenens Environmental Commitment/ Innovations in Logistics

Transport and Fuel Use

Howard Tenens’ dual fuel HGV fleet continues to grow; 18 vehicles are currently on the road, with more planned to be converted as we head through 2012. A dual fuel engine runs on gas (CNG) and diesel simultaneously (we are currently seeing our vehicles displacing 60% of diesel with CNG across the fleet), with savings of 370.5 tonnes CO2e to date. Dual fuel vehicles also show substantial improvements in terms of air quality; reducing NOx, SOx and particulates by 70%.

Our ambition to use biogas as a road fuel has taken a significant step forward this year with biogas replacing CNG at our Andover site. This has resulted in carbon emissions being reduced by 60% from Andover dual fuel vehicles compared against a diesel only HGV. We have also introduced 3 biogas vans into the fleet. These run completely on Biogas but do have a back-up petrol engine in case the gas runs out. These are currently seeing carbon savings of near 100% when compared against a diesel van.

Howard Tenens is constantly reviewing fuel efficiency measures across the group. Driver training, telematics and DriveCam have been introduced. Efficient route planning and vehicle loading are essential components of our transport systems and empty running has been reduced as a result. Noise pollution is also minimised where possible through route planning.

Warehousing Operations

Energy use is the most significant environmental impact from our warehousing operations. Energy efficient lights are being installed across the group and employees are trained in energy efficient techniques. Howard Tenens will always endeavour to reduce light and noise pollution from our warehousing operations through best practice.

Waste and Recycling

Tenens Environmental is in the process of reviewing waste management across the group to maximise the use of recycling and energy recovery (Howard Tenens is committed to diverting waste from landfill). The recording of waste production has commenced across the group in order to better identify areas where waste reductions can be made.

Carbon Reporting

In 2011, the Howard Tenens Group had a carbon footprint of 16,821 tonnes CO2e, with 12,781 tonnes emitted from transport operations and 4,040 tonnes emitted from warehouse operations. This figure is an increase on 2010 due to the expansion of the business. In order to make our carbon reporting more complete, this year we have started to record our Scope 3 (indirect) emissions; another reason for the increase.

Carbon intensity for transport was 1.33kg CO2e per mile, a reduction on 2010 attributed to the introduction of more dual fuel vehicles. Warehousing carbon intensity has increased since 2010 to 1.57kg CO2e per square foot; however this is due to the acquisition of additional warehouse space that has not yet been subject to energy efficiency improvements.