Derwent achieves ISO 50001 certification

ACCO Brands has set the standard for environmental manufacturing and energy usage by achieving ISO 50001:2018, accredited by UKAS, across its five UK sites, including the Derwent manufacturing site in Lillyhall, Cumbria

The manufacturer has strived to achieve a sound energy and sustainable development of its popular pencil ranges as part of the company’s multi-year plan to work toward reducing its environmental impact.
The achievement of ISO 50001:2018 was awarded to ACCO Brands and Derwent for ‘using energy efficiently’ and ‘continually improving its policies to meet key targets and objectives’.
ACCO sites in Aylesbury, Halesowen, Keswick, Lillyhall and Uxbridge have all been awarded the certification.
Lillyhall, where the Derwent factory is based, was built in 2008 with energy efficiency at its heart, ensuring cyclical processes that use any waste materials create heat, light and power to the manufacturing plant.
The reduction of CO2 emissions, water consumption and waste are all key pillars of Derwent’s sustainability strategy. So far, the company has reduced its water consumption by 23% between 2015 and 2018, reaching a total waste recycling rate of 91%. The company aims to reach a water reduction target of 25% and a total waste recycling rate of 98% (compared to 2015) by 2020 and are well on track to achieve their goals.
Alongside these, Derwent’s commitment to the environment is set to continue with a selection of new schemes already in the pipeline including:

• The purchase of a portable waste compactor that reduces that amount of required collections from every other day to fortnightly. All waste collection becomes reclaimed fuel.
• More cardboard than ever will be collected to be recycled. Last year, 26 tonnes of cardboard were recycled by Derwent.
• The implementation of a bailer to help separate plastics from other materials for recycling.
• Every desk in the office and in the factory now has paper bins for the separation of recyclable materials.
• Drinks cans and bottles have separate bags for recycling.
• Any metal taken from factory processes, including pencil tins, are segregated and sent to a local metal recycling company.

Mike Stranders, vice president and general manager Derwent, said: “As a substantial UK business, we recognise the importance of managing our energy use and becoming more efficient with the resources we use. It is important that we reduce our environmental impact and the effect on the communities and partners with whom we work.
“Our mantra of ‘Taking care of tomorrow’ remains a key focus at all levels of the organisation. I am very proud of what we have delivered so far.
“We have ongoing plans for continual improvement, and excellent people managing these targets in the workplace.”
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