Caterer Compass gains Level One in Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey

The survey examines Northern Ireland's leading 200 companies, government departments, local councils, health trusts and the education sector in the country and measures the extent to which these organisations manage environmental issues. Paul Coburn, HSE Business Leader for Compass Group in Ireland said: "Over the last 12 years we have participated in the Arena Survey and have maintained a strong score year on year. With the assessment and evaluation procedures getting more robust, it is an outstanding result that we have out performed all of our competitors in the support services sector." Compass provided a case study detailing the various projects and initiatives it has taken to reduce their environmental impact. In this case study, Compass described how it launched a food waste measurement and minimisation initiative called Trim Trax. Trim Trax increases the visibility and awareness of food wastage from all areas within the catering operation in order to monitor volumes and costs, with the objective of setting targets and taking appropriate actions to reduce food wastage. Compass also embarked on a major logistical project which has reduced food miles in Ireland by consolidating food and non-food deliveries. In addition, in conjunction with the Open University, Compass has launched an environment e-learning course which helps employees to become ambassadors for environmental management in the workplace.