CNH
CNH Industrial is a global leader in the manufacture of heavy machinery including agriculture and construction equipment, commercial vehicles and powertrains.
The Background
Zest Recycle were appointed to take over full management of CNH Industrial’s waste operations at its Basildon plant in summer 2019.
The nature and scale of the operation at the Basildon plant, where a tractor is produced every four minutes, means that the site generates a multitude of waste streams in significant volumes, including various packaging materials, wood, confidential waste and a range of specialist waste and oils.
A key aim of the partnership was to improve segregation, increase recycling and ensure that CNH Industrial’s waste resources were being managed with maximum efficiency and cost effectiveness.
The Solution
Zest Recycle’s approach from the outset was to set out a clear strategy for firstly ensuring a smooth mobilisation of services, and then to implement action plans to meet both shorter term and longer terms goals.
By working closely with CNH Industrial, Zest Recycle identified a number of areas in which more immediate benefits could be recognised both financially and from a sustainability perspective. Wooden pallets were being placed in large containers and crushed down using a Roll Packer, producing around 3-4 roro containers a week of wood for recycling. Zest Recycle identified that a significant number of these pallets were suitable for reuse and therefore had a rebate value. Zest Recycle sourced a supplier for reused pallets resulting in a reduction in the number of wood skips required by a third and the generation of a healthy rebate.
Another area of focus was on the large volumes of cardboard packaging being produced by the site. When Zest Recycle took over management of the account the rebate market for waste resources was turbulent, meaning that the highest quality material was essential for achieving optimum rebate values. It was also identified that there was an opportunity to increase load weights of cardboard for greater environmental and cost efficiencies. To tackle this area, Zest Recycle worked with CNH Industrial to optimise cardboard bale weights and review the current collection processes.
Overall by working with our client and supply chain partners, we were able to introduce a much tighter, more efficient ordering process, resulting in maximum payloads of cardboard, reduced haulage and the highest possible rebates.
The Results
These, along with a number of other changes, have helped CNH Industrial to take large strides in increasing recycling, improving environmental performance and reducing costs at its Basildon site.
In the first year, recycling rates increased by over 10%, and with a Zero Waste to Landfill approach, all remaining waste is sent for energy recovery. We have also made significant cost savings for CNH Industrial in a number of areas and returned very healthy rebates for waste materials back to the business despite a turbulent market.
Sustainability is a key business driver for CNH Industrial, and through our partnership with Zest Recycle we have been able to significantly improve recycling rates, within the framework of our overall ambition of zero waste to landfill.
Ryan Hopkin, CNH Industrial