St Austell launches recycling scheme to reduce pub waste by 80%

St Austell Brewery has launched a recycling initiative in partnership which aims to reduce the general waste in its managed pubs by 80%. 

The initiative, which includes a partnership with waste management company, Biffa, includes the introduction of a streamlined waste system across St Austell’s 45 managed pubs. 

Teams across the company’s south west pub estate are aiming to double the amount of waste being recycled as part of the plan, with a goal of hitting the 80% target by the end of this year. 

All of St Austell Brewery’s managed pubs now have colour-coded bins, which are divided into three sections: dry mixed recycling for tins, cans, paper, dry cardboard, foil, magazines, plastic containers and metal lids; food waste for tea bags, coffee grounds, bones and uneaten food; and general waste for anything else.

In addition to making waste segregation easier, St Austell Brewery is rolling out a supporting employee encouragement plan to help drive engagement and participation. This includes a leaderboard for pubs, where the team with the highest reduction in waste overall will be rewarded with online vouchers to spend every quarter.

Emily Coon, sustainability manager at St Austell Brewery, said: “Reducing general waste by 80% is a bold target, but through our partnership with Biffa and a steadfast commitment to proper waste segregation, the initiative is already making a big difference.

“We’re excited about how we can scale the waste management scheme in the future. The goal is to create a culture of sustainability, where colleagues feel confident and engaged in the process of reducing and recycling waste. Whilst we are committed to minimising food waste across our business, where surplus does occur, we’re proud to partner with Olio. Powered through an app, this relationship ensures that good food is shared with local communities rather than going to waste.”

Following the launch of the new waste scheme in the managed pubs, the company is now planning to extend it across its two breweries (St Austell and Hare, near Bath) and its head office and depots across the south west.

Since the launch of the general waste reduction campaign this year, St Austell Brewery has seen encouraging progress across its managed pubs, with average reductions ranging from 5% to 15%.