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Diageo - Belfast and Runcorn Eco-Efficient Beer Packaging

Lafarge Cement UK Eco-efficiency Award supported by Envirowise

Diageo’s beer packaging plants in Runcorn and Belfast have improved operational efficiency resulting in reduced waste,  minimised packaging and reduced waste to landfill.

Process

SmallPack, a beer packaging arm of Diageo, based in Runcorn and Belfast, packages nearly 400 premium beverages, including Guinness, Smithwicks, Kilkenny, Harp and Kaliber beer. Both sites have achieved these improvements through an increase in operational efficiency, segregation of waste streams and the introduction of stringent environmental standards.  

Runcorn was able to convert waste beer into energy by diverting it from bulk beer holding tanks to an anaerobic digester at United Utilities.  In Belfast, its food waste is rendered and used as a green biofuel, and label waste is turned into mulch for use as a commercial compost.

By reducing the weight and size of its cans, SmallPack has minimised packaging without compromising functionality, quality and consumer requirements.  New product packaging must be minimal, recoverable, free from hazardous substances and still meet the requirements of market labelling.  Carton wrap for 24-can packs, made using recycled paper, has also had its weight reduced without loss of strength. In addition, Diageo has used a survey and toolkit to
improve the sharing of waste knowledge throughout the company, which involved 78 sites.

Impact

  • Belfast reduced waste to landfill by 47% since 2004, and reduced its waste recycled by 5% last year as a result of an overall decrease in waste
  • At Runcorn, waste to landfill was reduced by 95% since 2004, and waste recycled by 10% in the last year due to an overall decrease in waste
  • Diverted beer saved 9000 tonnes of CO2 and diverted 2600 tonnes of waste from the drain
  • Reuse of hazardous waste saved 70 tonnes of waste from landfill per year, reduced costs by 60% and reduced site waste by a further 15%

See also