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Environmental leadership: Paterson Arran

This case study is one in a series demonstrating how environmental leadership has helped Scottish food and drink manufacturers drive down costs, enhance their reputation and engage with stakeholders.

Established in 1890, Paterson Arran produces biscuits, oatcakes, jams and chutneys on their sites in Livingston and the Isle of Arran for their own brand and under contract for national clients.

Over the years, Paterson Arran has integrated a commitment to sustainability and efficient resource use into everyday operational practices by establishing an Environmental Team, appointing an Environmental Manager and regularly discussing environmental issues at Board meetings.

To help deliver its environmental commitments, in 2007 Paterson Arran began implementing a data driven Environmental Management System (EMS); certification to ISO 14001 Standard was achieved in 2009. Through this process, the company benchmarked energy and water use, as well as waste arisings and recycling rates, and set environmental targets.

Whilst production output at Paterson Arran’s Livingston site has increased over 70% since 2007, resource efficiency has improved significantly:

  • 23% improvement in energy efficiency per tonne of product.
  • 94% recycling of waste.
  • 38% reduction in paper use.
  • 15% reduction in water use.
  • 46% reduction in water intensity of each tonne of output.
  • Recycled content in cardboard packaging increased to 95%.
  • Recycled content of plastic trays increased to 98%.

Not only do these achievements enhance the company’s environmental credentials, they also help reduce costs. To achieve these successes, Paterson Arran have worked with a number of funded support programmes, such as WRAP, Green Business Partnership and Envirowise (all now part of Zero Waste Scotland), and the Carbon Trust.

In 2009, Paterson Arran’s environmental leadership was recognised with a special commendation prize at the Vision in Business for the Environment (VIBES) awards.

Adam Wilson, Paterson Arran’s Environmental Manager, noted that opportunities ahead include further development of the company’s EMS, continued focus on energy and resource efficiency initiatives, evaluation of onsite renewable energy capacity, and expansion of the company’s ethos to suppliers and other stakeholders throughout their supply chain.