Jascots launches bottle colleciton and recycling scheme for customers

On-trade wine merchant Jascots is to start picking up and recycling empty wine bottles and boxes when it makes a delivery, in a bid to go green.

The company said it was concerned that while many businesses recycle glass bottles and cardboard boxes, a large proportion still goes to landfill.

While the UK currently recycles around 50% of container glass (jars and bottles), other countries such as Switzerland and Finland who recycle more than 90% of their glass.

The UK on-trade sector alone throws away over 600,000 tonnes of glass every year, according to WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme).

John Charnock, Managing Director for Jascots Wine Merchants said: "It seems crazy that vehicles return from a delivery empty when the journey could be put to better use taking glass and cardboard to a recycling depot."

Flavien Leyet from Restaurant Associates, which trialled Jascots new pick up and recycle scheme said: "It is so refreshing to work with a wine merchant who understands us and works hard to make our lives easier. Our Jascots Account Manager discussed the service with us and, as promised, when our next delivery arrived, the driver collected the empty bottles and boxes putting them into refuse bins in the back of the vehicle. It could not have been more simple."

As well as the new 'milk man' service, Jascots currently recycles 90% of office waste and has reduced its usage of paper by 20% in the last year. Overall Jascots has reduced the volume of its waste going to landfill by 50% in a year.

This year Jascots' carbon footprint was 150.1 tCO2, as independently verified by the Carbon Trust, and what could not be reduced will once again be offset through the purchase of carbon credits.

Wine supplier Jascots offers 24/7 delivery during London Olympics >>

By Neil Gerrard

E-mail your comments to Neil Gerrard here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.catererandhotelkeeper.com/tabletalk

Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs