GWF is committed to the implementation of environmentally sustainable initiatives by conducting business in ways that protect and preserve the environment.
We also strive to integrate principles of environmental stewardship and sustainable development into business decisions and processes.
To complement its external activities, GWF is dedicated to driving behavioural and cultural changes internally amongst its staff members.
Some examples of external GWF initiatives to promote sustainability throughout its Australian and New Zealand
operations include a move to reduce the amount of packaging consumed through better design and production processes,
and a reduction of water usage during manufacturing.
How Does GWF Demonstrate Its Commitment To Sustainability?
Here are some practical examples of how GWF has been working towards improved sustainability:
The National Packaging Covenant (NPC):
In 2001, GWF became a signatory to the NPC – a co-regulatory agreement designed to minimise the environmental impacts arising from the manufacturing and disposal of used packaging. This effort has already led to a significant reduction in packaging consumption without compromising product quality, including a 40 tonne saving of packaging material in 2007.
Packaging Initiatives:
Removal of an unnecessary plastic layer in flour bags during the dry season have resulted in significant material savings and enabled these bags to be recycled. Other packaging initiatives include light-weighting of bread bags and redesign of shaved meat packaging to reduce the amount of material used.
Starch Replacement Research:
GWF has pioneered starch replacement research which aims to minimise the amount of starch used in manufacturing paper based packaging material. From an environmental perspective, the process of manufacturing starch is both energy and water intensive. The starch replacement technology will enable net environmental savings in packaging that are not limited to one company, industry or even to Australia, but would be capable of improving packaging performance in many industries worldwide.
Water Conservation:
Given the large amounts of water required within the food manufacturing process, water conservation is another aspect of the GWF sustainability program. Management plans are in place at a number of sites to reduce the water consumed within production support, boilers, cooling towers, washing and cleaning by 20 to 30%.
Online education for GWF staff:
The GWF Green Neighbourhood is an online education program that ensures all employees have access to proper environmental training. We also have an internal newsletter, Footprints, used to provide regular updates on environmental activities.
Compliance with the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 14001 Environment Management Systems:
GWF recognises the need for continuous improvement in environmental performance through the ongoing development of GWF Environmental Management Systems that are compatible with the ISO 14001 standard.
Participation in government run programs:
GWF has been participating in various programs facilitated by the state and federal government to reduce its environmental impact. These include the Federal Energy Efficiency Opportunities, VIC Environment and Resource Efficiency Plan and NSW Energy Saving Programs. GWF is committed to the implementation of opportunities identified as a result of these programs and will partner with governments in the journey to become a more sustainable industry.
Court Order Funds Carbon Reduction Project
On 14 April 2010 at Castlemaine Magistrates' Court, George Weston Foods Limited (the "Accused") pleaded guilty to two pollution charges brought by the Environment Protection Authority ("EPA") in relation to two separate waste discharges from the Accused's smallgoods manufacturing plant at Castlemaine.
The first incident occurred on 2 February 2009, when odorous fatty liquid waste was discharged into the dry creek bed of Barkers Creek. The second incident occurred on 27 February 2009, when odorous fatty liquid waste was discharged into an open table drain running outside the Accused's plant. Both discharges were the result of wastewater from cleaning operations entering the stormwater system, instead of being correctly disposed of to trade waste.
The Accused has now modified its plant to prevent a recurrence of these incidents.
The Court, without convicting George Weston Foods Limited, ordered it to pay $60,000 to the Mt Alexander Sustainability Group Inc to contribute to the Pathway to a Sustainable CO2 Future project which will reduce energy use in homes. The Accused was also ordered to pay EPA's costs of $10,000.
The Court also ordered publication of this notice.
GWF Reports
Energy Efficiency Opportunities - Second Public Report August 2009 PDF - 0.5Mb
Energy Efficiency Opportunities - First Public Report December 2008 PDF - 1.6Mb