2 December 2020. In its commitment to the natural environment, Central Lechera Asturiana has become the first Spanish company to obtain the certification of AENOR both for the "carbon neutrality" of all its factories, and for its "Circular Economy Strategy."
Through the implementation of an Integral Sustainability Plan, the "Carbon Neutrality" certification contributes to the company's objective of achieving neutrality throughout it entire production process, from farm to table, in 2035. Actions carried out so far to achieve emissions neutrality for all its factories represent an important step towards meeting this objective.
In 2020, the dairy company allocated more than 12 million euros to environmental protection. In addition, it has developed 2.5 million euros worth of new projects to carry out this plan.
"Circular Economy Strategy" certification under the model created by AENOR endorses the company's contribution to the principles of the circular economy. Its aim is to maintain the value of products, materials and resources in the economy for as long as possible, minimising their consumption and the generation of waste. In line with this model, Central Lechera Asturiana works to consume only what is strictly necessary for its production processes and to transform waste into valuable resources for other processes. Proof of this is that it is the first Spanish company to obtain "Zero Waste" certification from AENOR.
Circular economy projects carried out by the company include the promotion of energy savings while incorporating renewable energies, with the company using green energy in all of its factories and on 75% of the farms of its partners. With regard to its products, all of the company's tetra packs have FSC certification, and 98% of packaging is made of recyclable plastics and is made of more than 40% of renewable materials. In addition, the cardboard used in packaging is recycled at a rate of more than 95% and the company has recently launched the use of the first recycled plastics in its packaging. In recent years, it has also achieved a 15% reduction in its water consumption. As for transportation, the company is increasing its use of natural gas trucks in the distribution of finished products, and has just incorporated the first natural gas truck into the milk collection routes to continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The implementation of this strategy, based on the company's 2020-2025 Integral Sustainability Plan, constitutes a solid basis for achieving a reduction in CO2 emissions by 30% at the end of the plan period, achieving neutrality throughout its processes in 2035.
An important step has been to obtain AENOR's "Carbon Neutrality" certification in its factories, which has enabled it to be the first Spanish company to be neutral in terms of direct emissions from its facilities. This certification is proof of the organisation's commitment to decarbonisation and neutralisation of environmental impacts through support for sustainability projects. It also establishes the requirements for the quantification, reduction and compensation of greenhouse gas emissions in order to continue progress in coming years.
In addition, and as an important part of its value chain, Central Lechera Asturiana is working on an ambitious project to reduce the effects of the greenhouse gases produced in its livestock farming. The company is currently analysing its carbon footprint and developing an innovative programme in collaboration with several Technology Centres, starts up and other companies. The company is committed to strengthening the environmental sustainability of its livestock farming operations through the implementation of best practices and innovation. Initiatives for development in this area range from low emissions livestock feed to converting waste into renewable gas and biofertilisers that improve soil health.
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