Resource Efficiency Project (0106)

MANUFACTURING Resource Efficiency Project Aerospace Manufacturer, UK

Project Summary

Resource Efficiency Project Aerospace Manufacturer, UK

Project Value: £41,000

Key Project Elements  Waste Management and Waste Minimisation  Resource Efficiency Tools  Legal Compliance  Business Case Development

 Recycling Technologies  Behaviour Change  Major Cost Savings

CRA was commissioned by a major aerospace manufacturer to provide resource efficiency consultancy at a manufacturing site in the UK. The main objective was to identify opportunities to minimise waste and improve resource efficiency, testing and enhancing tools that could then be applied in other company sites.

In order to be able identify opportunities to minimise waste, CRA worked closely with the client by assigning a consultant to the site to assess day to day activities and taking the role of a waste champion. Visual inspections and conversations with operators were conducted in the majority of the manufacturing areas. Once a potential opportunity was identified, a more detailed investigation was undertaken, involving engineering, design, process and environmental analysis.

Work teams, which incorporated individuals from the manufacturing, Health and Safety, and procurement departments, were formed to assess the potential opportunities, to ensure they were feasible.

In addition to specific initiatives for waste minimisation and enhanced resource efficiency, the project recommended improvements to the site waste management system, through the better application of the waste hierarchy. Also, recommendations were made for improved communications between all those involved in waste management, from waste producers in manufacturing to the facilities and waste management contractors.

Good practices identified on site were documented and included in wellpresented business cases to promote their implementation on other sites. In total the resource efficiency opportunities were estimated to provide annual savings of at least £200k/year, on the pilot site alone. The majority of the initiatives require zero or very low investment, with behavioural change being identified as the key for successful implementation. In addition, many of the initiatives provide associated environmental benefits and the project identified opportunities for improving compliance.

Ref: PS0106