BWG Foods has announced that it will invest €25 million in a four-year sustainability strategy aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its large-scale nationwide supply chain.
The new strategy features the continued installation of renewable energy solutions across its operations.
Solar Panels
The group has installed almost 800 solar panels at its national distribution centre in Dublin, making it one of the largest installations of solar panels in Ireland.
The installation, which takes up approximately 1,350 m2 of roof space, will have a generation capacity of 250KW, representing enough energy to power the equivalent of approximately 50 homes for a year.
BWG Foods is working with retailers such as Eurospar in Kill, Co. Kildare, and Eurospar in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, to install solar panels on their premises.
Nearly €1 million has been invested in solar installations by the group, with the average store installation costing approximately €60,000.
Strategy
The new sustainability strategy has achieved Bord Bia Origin Green status, and BWG Foods are set to continue to work with Bord Bia to maintain the status.
One element of the plan is greater energy efficiency across operations, with the group planning to reduce its energy usage by over 10 percent across its entire operations by 2024.
Joanne Mellon, logistics director, BWG Foods said, “Our commitment to sustainability is borne out of the desire to always do the right thing by our customers and our communities. We value the importance of reducing our environmental footprint, contributing to healthier diets, and supporting local communities, and this sustainability strategy will enable us to make a significant and tangible positive impact. Our installation of 800 solar panels at our National Distribution Centre demonstrates our ambition to pursue meaningful initiatives that make a real difference.”
Other initiatives undertaken as part of the strategy are the use of Fronius battery charging system for mechanical handling equipment, e.g. forklifts, and the launch of a fleet of new CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and Biogas vehicles, in place of traditional diesel fuel.
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