Introduction
Avanti Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms take their responsibilities to the environment and energy saving seriously, so much so they invested in a factory waste management system which has reduced the energy used in the factory.
Factory Waste Management System
The factory in Lye manufactures kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms from wood and wood products. In 2006, a heater was installed to convert the waste sawdust and wood into heat, which is then pumped into the factory as an alternative heat source. This has reduced the factory's gas bill by a staggering £16,000 per annum. It has also reduced the amount of waste produced by the factory from 760 tonnes in 2006/07 to 79 tonnes in 2008/09. In 2010/11 the waste has been further reduced to 56 tonnes.
When the heater was installed, 3 bailing machines were purchased to bale up cardboard and plastic for recycling. In 2010/11, 14 tonnes of cardboard, 8 tonnes of vinyl offcuts and 1 tonne of plastic were recycled. This has significantly reduced the amount and cost of waste disposed of in landfill sites.
Power Factor Correction
In 2008, a power factor correction was installed to ensure the electricity supply to the factory is used as effectively as possible. The power factor correction consists of banks of capacitors, and has resulted in a 20% reduction in the use of electricity in the factory and has saved enough carbon dioxide to fill half a hot air balloon.
The application of power factor correction equipment has extended the life of electrical equipment. Avanti Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms funded the power factor correction and recouped the costs through reduced electricity bills in 18 months.
Re-usable Packaging
Avanti are about to introduce re-usable protective packaging for their carcass products and is now in the final stages of agreeing a supplier. This will reduce cardboard packaging by 90% and further reduce Avanti’s impact on landfill; it also reduces the need for Avanti’s customers to dispose of the waste packaging themselves.
Recycling
Avanti are looking to implement a procedure to collect their customers' old kitchens which will then be separated into the various waste categories and recycled. This will eliminate the need for customers to use skips and will reduce the landfill impact by an estimated 95% per kitchen.
Outcomes
In 2010, £5.3 million of sales (55% of business) was from existing customers and their recommendations. Some recommended customers commented that Avanti's green credentials had influenced their decision when choosing the company to manufacture and fit their new kitchen or bedroom.
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