How our first ER machine is helping a major pet food manufacturer cut the cost of their food waste.
Farmers and food manufacturers across the UK are facing increased pressure on their bottom line, as well as their environmental impact – especially when dealing with volumes of food waste, pet food waste or waste crops, which may have been generated from expired, damaged or out-of-spec produce, or even just over-demand.
Whilst the norm is to pay for this to be disposed of via a commercial waste company, we believed we could do better. And when we launched our new ER model, our latest waste separator and depackaging system, our aim was simple – to empower food manufacturers and farmers to take control of their own organic waste, and provide a smarter, more sustainable solution.
That’s why it’s great to see one of the UK’s largest pet food producers becoming the first to integrate the ER model on-site, transforming their waste handling process and delivering fantastic financial and environmental benefits.
The challenge: managing 30 tonnes of pet food waste every week
Our client produces a wide range of wet and dry pet food products and inevitably, waste. This equates to around 30 tonnes of pet food waste per week to dispose of.
Previously, this waste was managed entirely off-site. That approach brought several challenges:
- Rising disposal fees for mixed food waste
- Regular transport movements to external waste contractors
- Unnecessary carbon emissions linked to logistics
With disposal costs increasing and sustainability targets becoming more ambitious, the manufacturer sought a long-term solution that could handle mixed pet food waste more efficiently.
The solution: our ER depackaging machine and waste separator
The company was the first to install an ER machine, the latest model from our depackaging range. Like all our machines, it’s specifically engineered to separate packaging from food material quickly and cleanly – but whilst our larger models operate in commercial and municipal waste plants, the ER model allows farms and businesses to process food waste directly at the point of generation.
The results: an estimated payback of under 12 Months thanks to lower food waste disposal costs
Over 30 tonnes of waste is now being diverted from costly disposal each week.
With on-site depackaging, the business no longer pays external partners to handle this volume of pet food waste and these avoided costs mean that they project the ER machine to pay for itself in under 12 months—a compelling return on investment for any food production facility.
What’s more, this approach reduces their carbon footprint.
By eliminating multiple waste transport movements each week, the manufacturer has reduced carbon emissions and aligned more closely with its sustainability commitments.
In conclusion: Depackaging technology supports sustainability and your bottom line.
We’re delighted to see the real and measurable benefits of adopting depackaging technology on site for food (human or pet!) manufacturers. For farms and other businesses handling significant volumes of food waste, the ER model delivers:
- Lower disposal costs
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Greater operational control
- Enhanced recycling outcomes
To see how we can help you, simply get in touch.