During 2007, Menzies Distribution worked with a team from Heriot-Watt University and their academic partners in the government-funded ‘green logistics’ project to establish its direct carbon footprint and
(1) benchmark this in relation to the newspaper and magazine supply chain overall; and
(2) establish how our footprint has evolved over recent years.

The exercise proved revealing and supports the strong link between operational effectiveness and environmental impact. Menzies Distribution has responded to the report on two fronts – leading within the business and leading within the industry.

Leading within the Business

Despite an increase in our overall carbon footprint, largely due to the addition of new business, our CO2 equivalent calculation of “CO2 per tonne handled” has dropped from 0.90kg/co2 per tonne handled in 2009 to 0.84kg/co2 per tonne in 2010. Further use of the route management tool OPTRAK should see ongoing reductions in the miles travelled and ultimately the CO2 generated.

Significant steps have been taken to reduce carbon emissions within day-to-day practice. In warehouses and offices, this has meant a campaign to discourage unnecessary use of lighting, and collaboration with energy wholesalers to acquire green electricity contracts. 

Leading within the Industry

Menzies Distribution has sought ways to encourage greener practice at its partners and associates. The division’s carbon footprint amounts to around 38,140 tonnes; however, the newspaper and magazine supply chain as a whole accounts for significantly more. Lobbying others within the industry is therefore one of the most important steps the division can take to reduce carbon emissions overall. Menzies Distribution’s newly launched website, www.enviromenzies.com is the platform from which the division aims to lead this campaign.

Menzies Aviation

Menzies Aviation provides a people-based service to its airline customers and is a lower emitter of carbon than Menzies Distribution. Menzies Aviation tends to operate in shared environments such as airport terminals where we work together with the airport authorities to minimise carbon emissions at each site. Efficiency is key in all aspects of our operations, including at our own warehouses, where energy inefficiency is a cost to the business. A significant proportion of our airside ground servicing equipment fleet is electric, and our lease arrangements ensure frequent servicing and replacement, maximising efficiency. In addition, landside road vehicles are regularly serviced and trucks are all Euro IV standard, to maximise fuel efficiency per mile, and numbers of miles travelled are kept as low as possible.