Marshalls Wins Premier Award in the Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) Awards

Marshalls has won a premier award ‘The Process Award’ in the Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) Awards for demonstrating its commitment to environmental improvement by leading the way in the industry in reducing water usage and waste disposal.

The award was presented by David Miliband, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in London on Monday 4 June. The BCE awards recognise outstanding environmental excellence by businesses. They are the longest running and one of the most prestigious environmental awards in the UK.They provide a unique opportunity for any business to demonstrate clearly that corporate responsibility is as an integral part of their organisation and that they are innovative and ahead of the competition.

The annual awards presented are given in the three categories of process, product and management. The top award is the Peter Parker Award, named after Peter Parker who founded the Awards over thirty years ago.

Commenting on the award, Alan Woods, Marshalls Director Northern Region, said: “Marshalls is leading the way within the industry in reducing water usage and waste disposal. A combination of process water treatment and the use of captured rain water have been introduced in our factory based at Ramsbottom in Lancashire and at our Brookfoot works, based in Southowram, near Halifax. At Ramsbottom a 90% reduction in mains water consumption has been achieved, in addition to a reduction in process waste to landfill of 9,500 tonnes. Marshalls has also benefited in cost savings from the reduction of mains water usage by 65% and of discharge process water by over 90% at Brookfoot works. Work is continuing across all our manufacturing sites for them to become self sufficient in water usage in the future.”

In support of the Awards and what they stand for, David Milband, said: "It is critical for businesses to show leadership. I think the opportunity for business is to push the boundaries of what seems possible. The businesses that have won these awards are examples that I will use to persuade others in the UK and internationally that addressing climate change does not damage competitiveness.”