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Coachman recognised at Recycling Awards

May 26, 2010

Coachman Caravans, one of the UK’s leading caravan manufacturers, is celebrating success at a top national recycling awards ceremony. The company came out top of the category “SME Recycling Success” at the annual Severnside Achievement in Recycling Awards.

Coachman Safety,Health & Evnironmental Supervisor Patrick Cattle being presented with the award by Welsh Rugby Union International Martin Williams

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Held at the Cardiff City Stadium last week, the Severnside Achievement in Recycling Awards identify and reward both organisations and individuals who have achieved, through working with Severnside, excellence in the area of sustainable recycling and waste management.

Coachman’s entry was based around the efforts the company has gone to in order to reduce the amount of waste it sends to landfill. Judges were impressed that in only a few years Coachman has completely overhauled its waste handling techniques, going from relying almost wholly on landfill to operating several recycling streams covering a number of materials.

Judges also commented that they were pleased with the way Coachman had demonstrated that better environmental performance does not have to compromise profit. In setting up its recycling program, Coachman has saved an estimated £37,500 in landfill costs – showing how a more environmentally friendly approach to business can lead to better financial and operational performance.

Mathew Prosser, Severnside's Commercial Director, said:

“Coachman’s entry really stood out for us, to the extent that it could have quite easily been shortlisted in the “Best Commitment to Change” category alongside the likes of Next and Marks and Spencer.

“Many SMEs still view better environmental performance as coming at a cost to the bottom line. Doubtless, even today, sometimes that can be the case, but Coachman has demonstrated that you can achieve a greener business model and not merely balance the books, but make large savings. Proving this is essential if we want to encourage more sustainable business practices, and in this respect, the judges thought Coachman stood out as a beacon for other SMEs to emulate.”

Patrick Cattle, Safety, Health and Environmental Supervisor at Coachman said:

“Our waste reduction programme has been a huge success, and to have it recognised by a national award is very satisfying. We’ve reduced landfill by roughly 40% over the last couple of years – a real achievement. This result has been a real team effort; without the support of our entire manufacturing team it would not have been possible. This is the most important advice I could give to any other business looking to develop greener ways of working – it is not something which can be imposed from the ‘top down’, but needs buy-in from your entire work force. Coachman is extremely lucky that our staff rose to the task so magnificently.”

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