The document points out that the company has virtually achieved its zero waste to landfill objective, as less than 0.5% of refuse is now actual waste. LM/W is leading the sector in this area, according to Managing Director Bas Alblas.
Meanwhile, the company is using 4.8% less water per ton of finished product, equaling 36 Olympic-size swimming pools. Since 2008 direct energy usage has been reduced by 10.9% and its total carbon footprint has shrunk by 6.9%.
Additionally, several initiatives have been set up, such as the cultivation of algae in the purification of process wastewater and biogas production from residual substances.
"Our sustainability approach focuses on six specific areas which are most closely related to core activities," said Bas. "These are water, energy and emissions, potatoes and waste, employees, food safety and quality, and nutrition and health. We refer to these six themes as the 'Sustainable Six.'"
He continued: "For each theme we have set ambitious objectives through 2020, including a 50% reduction in direct water usage per ton of finished product, and a 30% reduction in direct energy usage per ton of finished product. For our main raw material, potatoes, we will increase potato utilization by 10% per ton. Additionally we have an almost complete reuse of our byproducts and residual streams into other useful destinations. "
