The principle of recycling, as part of an overall objective to reduce carbon footprint, is alive and well at IMC, yet the company is constantly striving to reduce the volume of waste it produces and to recycle as much of the residue as possible.

As a manufacturer of commercial catering and bar equipment, making great use primarily of stainless steel, IMC generates an amount of waste material from its production processes. However, the company is proud to be able to state that over 80% of the waste it generates on site is collected and recovered in a specialist plant with almost all scrap metals recycled.

To facilitate the various materials’ collection and subsequent re-use and recycling, IMC separates out each grade of stainless steel as well as all aluminium and plastics. Any residual components are assessed to establish if they can offer any further use before sorting the residual parts for collection. The sorting and separation process enables the company to reutilise any items wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so. For example, much of the packaging, such as the cardboard and polystyrene that IMC receives from outside suppliers, is adopted for use in the shipment of Spare Parts. Even unused packaging is sent to IMC’s suppliers in order that they might re-use it for subsequent deliveries. Wooden and steel pallets may be re-used for sending finished goods to customers.



Where the materials are not suitable for re-use, they are stored on site for collection by specialist waste processors. Wood is currently taken and burned as fuel although, under a new initiative, this will instead be diverted for conversion into pellets for use in equine bedding. Using an on-site shredding machine, IMC is able to recycle between 90% and 95% of all the cardboard it receives.



In addition to their obvious benefits to the environment, IMC’s recycling initiatives have dramatically cut the costs associated with waste disposal, at the same time providing a free source of materials that would otherwise have to be purchased, whilst also freeing up staff time.

IMC is committed not just to reducing its own but also its customers’ carbon footprints. The company has established, through research conducted by Imperial College, London, that its macerators and dewaterers can lessen the impact of food waste disposal to landfill by up to 80% and, when allied to an In Vessel Composter, can be used to recycle food waste into high quality compost. IMC has also embraced the WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC by providing an approved product collection and disposal service.



Refusing to rest on its laurels, IMC intends to tackle its office and consumables waste next. Commenting on the company’s approach, Managing Director, Tim Tindle, said: “The ethos of waste reduction and recycling is a vitally important element of our culture at IMC. Every single employee is encouraged to recognise the significance of his or her actions in helping to protect our future environment.”