Menzies Distribution
At Menzies Distribution, packaging waste, namely cardboard and polythene, and office paper are byproducts of our activities. We have waste compactors installed at our 19 hub branches in the UK which we now use for all Dry Mixed Recyclable materials rather than sending these to landfill sites, Menzies Distribution is working closely with their preferred waste service provider to achieve 90% recycling of general waste material across the Division.
Under our contracts with newspaper and magazine publishers, we are responsible for the collection of unsold copies from retail outlets. Newspaper publishers outsource the physical uplift and recycling from our premises via third-party agents with whom we work closely to integrate an efficient transition from our processes to their collection.
For magazines, unsold copy from all of our branches is fed primarily into UPM Kymmene’s Shotton Paper Mill for conversion into future newsprint. All unsold magazine products which are not required for resale are consigned for paper recycling.
The division also handles other unsold products such as collectible partworks and sticker collections. These are sent back to publishers for subsequent re-use. Menzies Distribution is active in industry initiatives aimed at reducing the volumes of such material to landfill and supporting initiatives to increase consumer awareness of the magazine recycling opportunity.
Menzies Aviation
Menzies Aviation are committed to reducing unnecessary consumption of resources and recycling packaging such as polythene, rope and pallets where possible. Its total use of packaging materials through its AMI and cargo businesses in the UK amounted to 757 tonnes (2009: 708 tonnes). Where the division offers an aircraft cleaning service, any waste we remove from an aircraft is, wherever possible, processed via airport waste recycling systems.
Investing in New Transport Technology
A MODEC electric vehicle operates in central London as part of our assessment of more eco-friendly vehicles and Menzies Distribution remains committed to supporting low carbon operations and will continue to explore further electric vehicles in 2011.
In addition to the MODEC electric vehicle located at one of our London branches, JYL now have two QEV electric vehicles as part of their fleet, one of which has recently returned following a major refurbishment, whilst the other is brand new. Both vehicles are capable of carrying 1,000kgs of payload at a top speed of 35mph and have the ability to travel 40 miles on a round trip. These work well on the flat terrain of London and provide JYL with an alternative to a diesel vehicle which saves on vehicle excise duty and congestion charging.
We are currently running trials with “Fuel Saver Technologies”, who have developed engine management software which reduces fuel consumption whilst limiting revs and speed. We are also trialing an alternative solution with Magno-flo using magnet technology to change the molecular structure of the carbon in fuel, which aims to produce a more efficient burn as well as greater engine torque.
Investigations are also underway with Masternaut and Aero Mark to understand the benefits of using vehicle telemetry. Being able to identify driving behaviours that lead to higher fuel use and erratic driving would provide a double win by ensuring greater safety to our drivers and other road users and reducing fuel consumption.