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Finding answers with Westland Milk Products

By Caddie Digital on July 14th, 2016 in Product Stewardship, Waste reduction
3R Chris Pullen Westland Milk Products

Finding answers for sustainability questions

Westland Milk Products (WMP) sells to some of the world’s biggest companies – and they are customers who ask tricky questions about sustainability.

Having the right answers to those questions isn’t just a matter of triple bottom line reporting, or good PR – it is a question of survival. Beyond maintaining their ISO14001 Environmental Management standard, WMP need to show tangible proof that they – and their 430 farmer-shareholders – are up to scratch, environmentally.

3R is helping them meet those demands.

According to Westland’s Environmental Manager Chris Pullen, 3R’s experience in waste diversion and finding innovative uses for the materials, combined with their own ISO14001 accreditation, made them ideal partners.

Meeting international demand

“3R was invaluable at identifying waste that could be recycled and helping us develop FarmEx, a programme that works on the basic philosophy that what happens behind the farm gate impacts on Westland’s ability to sell in a highly competitive marketplace.

“The work with 3R made it far easier to maintain our ISO14001 standard and provide real environmental solutions that satisfy our customers.”

According to Chris, 3R’s work supports the cooperative’s “genuine enthusiasm for environmental sustainability.”

“At the end of the day, it’s about our ability to compete on the world stage. But we’re not just ticking boxes.”

Going beyond the obvious

3R’s Gareth Mentzer has spent hands on time at WMP’s factory looking at processes in the factory, identifying waste that can be diverted from landfill, and making that practice as easy as possible. Gareth sees the company as a catalyst for change.

“Yes, we find outlets for materials that can be recycled, but we also take time to really understand the drivers for our customers.”

For 3R customers – like WMP – their environmental intiatives can’t just be ‘nice to haves’.

“Environmental benefit is critically important to some customers, but also our work must offer real economic benefit, help to meet compliance requirements or provide competitive advantage.”

To this end, part of 3R’s work is in collaborating with customers, a network of recyclers, local government, and other organisations like quality assurance providers.

“It’s in those collaborative relationships where we can deliver true value to our customers,” says Gareth.

Supporting behaviour change

For WMP it wasn’t going to be as simple as tweaking a few operations in their factory– they had to convince their farmers to get on board too.

With 3R, Chris took the message on the road, hosting information events for their farmer shareholders. They needed to understand that the co-operative’s ISO 14001 accreditation was a critical part of their success – without it, they’d be at risk of losing some of their most valuable clients.

They looked at the increasing plastic waste generated on farms and 3R now run events where farmers can drop off hazardous agrichemicals, farm plastics, and oil.

“3R offered our farmers options and initiatives for sustainability, helping the shareholders to do the right thing.”

Protecting brand reputation

The 3R team is also always on the hunt for companies that make products from recycled materials – it’s that proactivity that makes 3R so valuable, says Chris.

“They’re willing to find a fit-for-purpose solution for our recycling. They show a true aptitude there.”

It’s something that had positive impacts on brand perception too, says Chris.

“It wasn’t difficult to see which solid waste came from us – it has our branding all over it. We were caned in the media for it, but not anymore.”

Not just a one-off

To keep on top of the sustainability issue, WMP’s work with 3R is ongoing. They have regular checks, take advantage of any recycling initiatives and stay abreast of new technologies for processing waste materials. With this ongoing help, the co-operative is ready for any audits, and farmer shareholders are kept up to speed with recycling operations.

“3R have always got their ears to the ground, looking for ways we can do better with our recycling. They are a big part of WMP keeping our accreditation.”

“I would recommend 3R – they’re a truly passionate group of people.”

How 3R has helped Westland Milk Products:

  • Putting standard operating procedures in place
  • Creating documentation around recycling initiatives
  • Identifying waste that could be recycled
  • Finding companies that can make use of waste
  • Reducing waste volumes going to landfill
  • Bringing shareholders onside
  • Helping maintain ISO accreditation
  • Boosting local and international reputation
  • Ongoing recycling initiatives
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ISO 14001:2015

Environmental management systems and safe work practices.

ISO 14001:2015 is an internationally recognised standard that certifies our commitment to environmental management systems and safe work practices.

Consistent with our environmental policy, the intended outcomes of our environmental management system include:

  • The enhancement of environmental performance;
  • The fulfilment of compliance obligations;
  • The achievement of environmental objectives.

Our ISO 14001:2015 certification includes 3R Operations, the Paint Product Stewardship Programmes, ChemCollect Service and the SeatSmart Child Car Seat Recycling Programme (owned and operated by 3R).

This certification is audited by TELARC.

ISO 45001:2018

Keeping our people safe, healthy and happy.

ISO 45001:2018 certification has been chosen to demonstrate the importance we place in caring for our people as we bring to life our values of Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga.

Keeping our team safe, healthy and happy is a primary focus for our business. We feel that the work our operations staff do makes this particularly important. Their responsibilities can include collecting and processing paint; collecting chemicals; driving trucks around the country; and getting hands-on with work wherever needed.

3R received ISO 45001:2018 certification in 2021. The ISO 45001:2018 certificate is valid for 3 years and includes annual surveillance audits which provide a valuable framework for further growth.

What is a circular economy?

New Zealand is “one of the highest generators of waste per person in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)”. The way we currently produce and manage our waste is not sustainable.

The current economy in New Zealand is linear: this equates to a process of take-make-use-dispose. The aim of the government is to move towards a circular economy.

A circular economy can refer to either biological or technical materials.

With biological materials, the cycle could be defined as make-consume-enrich. In this cycle waste returns to the environment and enriches the land.

A technical materials cycle may be more like make-use-return. In a technical materials cycle waste is repurposed and used to make something new.

Whether you need help with biological materials, technical materials, or both; 3R can partner with your business to assess your current waste, then help you reduce it.