The move will save the soft drinks giant more than 17,000 tonnes CO2e each year – the equivalent to taking more than 3,300 cars off the road.

It comes as part of a new four-year deal with energy provider E.ON, which will provide power needs for the whole of Britvic’s UK business operations.  

Britvic’s Senior Sustainability Manager Alison Rothnie said: “ The move to renewable electricity in GB through our partnership with E.ON is a significant step, not only in helping us to minimise the environmental impact of our operations and reduce our carbon emissions, but also supporting the development of a low-carbon future for the UK.”

As part of the new partnership, Britvic will also benefit from E.ON’s Portfolio Solution (EPS), an in-house risk management service which specialises in helping customers navigate the wholesale energy market.

Commenting on the deal, Iain Walker, director of business energy sales at E.ON said: “An increasing number of businesses are looking at ways to reduce their carbon footprint and a Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO)-backed supply provides a guarantee that consumption is offset by energy produced from renewable sources.

“We are proud our bespoke solutions are contributing to the ongoing energy security of Britvic’s site and in reducing the environmental impact – by providing our expertise and services when it comes to energy solutions we can allow the business to get on with what they do best – providing quality drinks for consumers.”

Greening operations

The majority of Britvic’s manufacturing sites are based in the UK, Ireland, France and Brazil. The company is looking to cut emissions at facilities by 15% by 2020, against a 2020 baseline, relative to production. Britvic is already a third of the way to this goal, after recording a 5% reduction in 2017.

Britvic’s operations in Ireland and Brazil are already powered entirely by renewables, while the French arm uses low-carbon energy sources across all sites.

As well as focusing on renewables, Britvic is also backing other low-carbon fuels to reduce its carbon footprint. In Brazil, for instance, the company uses waste cashew shells from its Cashew Juice product to generate power in its factories.

Britvic has also boosted the number of electric and alternative fuel vehicles across its UK company car fleet to more than 20%.

The company’s latest sustainability report outlined a plan to become a zero-waste company by 2020. Already, 100% of Britvic’s plastic bottles are recyclable.

George Ogleby

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