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Steelite International Launches Green Week

12 September 2011

Steelite International is this week unveiling its ambitious vision to go 100 per cent 'green' by 2015.

The 100 per cent pledge - believed to be an industry first - will be announced to staff today (Monday 12th September 2011) at the start of our innovative 'Green Week'. A number of guest speakers, events and activities will take place throughout the week, sharing our success stories with more that 650 staff, their families and organisations associated with the organisation.

Said Chief Executive Kevin Oakes: "Steelite International has a world-class reputation for its work in reducing our impact on the environment. It is an issue the entire business has already embraced, and while we've already achieved outstanding results, we know we can do more.

"Hitting the 100 per cent target will be a tough call, but we believe that by exploring new opportunities with other local companies we will be able to find uses for every bit of waste produced in the ceramic process."

"Last year we won the Green Apple Award for our Lamella recycling scheme which enables us to reuse material which would previously have been wasted. In addition 94 per cent of waste materials leaving our site are now reused by other local companies.

"We also launched our Made for Life campaign last year and one of its four cornerstones was to minimise our environmental impact, helping secure an environment that is fit for life; so the 100 per cent green by 2015 vision is the next step on the journey."

Steelite International's 2015 mission is to:

• Recycle 100 per cent of operational waste
• Use energy in an efficient way through modern manufacturing processes
• Reduce CO2 emissions and strive towards more effective energy control

Steelite International's environment champion, and organiser of Green Week is HSE (Health, safety and environmental) and Training Manager Pat Griffin. He explained: "Green Week is all about raising awareness of what we're doing among staff and the wider community and what we're doing to protect the environment on a local and global scale."

A dedicated presentation area has been set up for a series of talks from industry and environment experts who will visit throughout the week.

Headline speakers who will address staff and invited guests through the week are Roger Woolens of the Green Organisation, on the Global Environment and the part we play; Dr Laura Cohen, Chief Executive of the British Ceramic Confederation, on the industry and its environmental impact; and Alan Gibson of Browns Waste on how they recycle Steelite International materials.

In addition, workshops will be held for staff to encourage healthy lifestyles, with guided walks, runs, cycle rides and family fun events to raise interest in recycling.