Remploy, the UK’s largest specialist employer of disabled people, is now using renewable energy sources in most of its network of 54 factories. Energy supplies, provided by E.ON and representing 80 per cent of Remploy’s total energy use, will come from a range of renewable sources including hydropower, solar, wind and biomass energy.
“We welcome the switch," said Alan Hill, Director of Remploy’s Enterprise Businesses. "Green energy is not just about doing the right thing, it’s about working together and moving toward a more sustainable future. We know our customers agree this can only be a positive step for all concerned.”
The new green energy supplies will be utilised at 30 high energy use sites which manufacture commercial furniture, automotive components, healthcare products and provide packaging and administration services.
Remploy Automotive, which manufactures components for leading car companies including Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford and Aston Martin at sites in Birmingham and Coventry now uses green energy. And the remaining 24 factories are already with a supplier, where 47 per cent of the energy provided is from green sources, and will go fully green from 1st April 2011.
Remploy is also building its green credentials with its expanding IT recycling business, e-cycle. Businesses using this service are enabled to meet Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) compliance through Remploy’s service of repairs, refurbishment and redeployment for end-of-life electrical equipment.
The cost to Remploy of using green energy is around £75,000 per year. Some of the cost will be made back through exemption from the Climate Change Levy and it is anticipated that the rest will be covered by planned energy efficiency initiatives which are forecast to recoup up to £250,000.
