Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

As you all know we have a strong commitment to the environment, and we are constantly striving for improvement at Meredith Dairy. One potential improvement is to reduce the amount of waste generated across the business. This includes the factory, offices, farms and Sunline Drive (our distribution centre).

We currently have several large skip bins across the property, and in some instances these bins are the only easily accessible place to put waste materials. These bins cost a lot to service, and it has been demoralizing seeing so much material heading to landfill. This is about to change.

At the factory, we have started sorting waste into 14 different waste streams for recycling. We are satisfied that these wastes are going to businesses that really do recycle the materials. So far it has taken a fair chunk of staff time, but in two weeks we have reduced our weekly landfill from over 1 tonne to only 210kg. We have cancelled 2 of our 3 skip bins, and will be rolling out smaller bins in different areas to make this separation process quicker and easier.

There is also the potential to continue to improve recycling of farm wastes such as silage wrap, baling twine, feed and bulka bags, metal, plastic and others. We understand that this will take some time and discipline to start with, but it is already showing potential to reduce our environmental footprint significantly, and to reduce our costs of waste disposal – a great win-win.