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Plastic Reduction – A Supplier’s View
By HW Facilities
| Aug 2024 |
News

As part as HW Facilities’ Plastic Free July activities, we asked Bowak, one of our biggest suppliers, how they are reducing their use of plastic across the industry.

This is what they told us:

“Bowak are committed to ‘Change for the Better’ and through this pledge have implemented a number of incremental changes to reduce plastic. Bowak are also a Year 2 Planet Mark Certified Business and ISO 14401 accredited – showcasing their dedication. Introducing changes to processes and working with their supply chain and customers, Bowak have made strides in eliminating the amount of plastic they use.

Distribution has been an area of significant improvement – product packaging is monitored constantly to minimise the amount used, and all void-fill is now used shredded cardboard boxes. Additionally, all plastic shrink wrap is recycled using a baler and internal waste streams have been improved to make recycling easier.

Supply chain liaison and action have also been an important factor in reducing plastic. Bowak actively work to choose more sustainable products from suppliers including the SYR Lucy buckets – which are made from recycled plastic – as well as a variety of Vileda products that are made from a high % of recycled content.

Internally, Bowak have made changes too – including a toner cartridge recycling scheme and investing in metal water bottles for all staff members.

Bowak understand HW Facilities’ sustainability focus and have subsequently created a bespoke plastic returns process which aids the reduction of single-use plastic going to landfill. This four-step process is set up for chemicals used by HW Facilities.

Actions to reduce plastic don’t stop here either. Bowak are constantly striving to improve their processes and product-offering. An example of this continued commitment is illustrated in their exploration of box tape alternatives to improve the sustainability of their product packaging.

Bowak’s drive to encourage a culture of positive change extends not only within their team, but also to their valued customers.”

Also, thanks for their support of our recent Beach Clean day, for which they donated the litter pickers we used!

We joined forces in Weston-Super-Mare with CBRE and key account clients to participate in the Million Mile Clean, an initiative led by one of the charities we are supporting this year, Surfers Against Sewage.

20 of us spent a few hours gathering debris that did not belong on the beach; we collectively walked 140km and picked up 78kg of litter.

We’ll be posting up details of future similar events on our social media feeds.