As part of their long standing commitment to protect the environment, Burntwood based self-adhesive label producer Mercian Labels have implemented many green benefits over recent years; but with their focus on continuous improvement, they are always on the lookout for more ways to improve their triple bottom line.
Having already come a long way with previous projects including everything from sourcing sustainable Wood Film substrates to replace traditional fossil fuel based label stock, replacing packaging void fill with commonly recyclable paper alternatives, sponsoring and managing the creation of a local woodland as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme and the creation of one of the UK’s first Label Liner Recycling schemes, the company knew there was still more they could do.
With ever increasing energy costs and inflation running rife throughout the economy, Mercian Labels saw an opportunity to not only benefit the environment, but to also help in maintaining a competitive price advantage, which is why they took the decision to invest over £100,000 in a combination of energy reduction and on-site energy generation capabilities.
Starting with the replacement of 28 traditional high level lights within the production and warehousing areas, the 24 hour operation introduced sensor activated low energy LED lighting, which only operate at full strength when a colleague is working in the area directly beneath them; reducing to 10% power use soon after the area is vacated, before switching off completely after a further few minutes of inactivity within its field of use.
Despite this being a relatively small change, the company is now on track to save around 43% in related energy costs, whilst also reducing their carbon footprint.
With energy prices still high, the next step was to invest in on-site energy generation, which saw the installation last week of over 250 solar panels on the roof of their Plant Lane factory.
With the ability to generate over 98 megawatts of electricity each year, the new system aims to provide more than 15% of Mercian’s annual energy needs, with any surplus being exported back to the grid, whilst simultaneously saving over 21 tonnes of related carbon emissions.
Mercian Labels Managing Director, Dr. Adrian Steele explained “As part of our focus on the environment, we see these investments as a real win for everyone. As well as reducing our environmental impact, we are also reducing our operational costs, which is not only good for our business, but also benefits our customers and therefore their end users as well”.
