Pedal power was the theme of this year’s Green Week at Foster Refrigerator with staff being encouraged to cycle to work and produce their own energy efficient drinks by pedal-powering a smoothie maker in the company’s canteen.
Foster’s Green Week saw a number of incentives and events taking place to encourage staff members to play their part in keeping Foster green including an Environment Quiz. Staff who cycled, walked or car-shared to work or who took part in the quiz were entered into a prize draw to win a wide range of prizes including store vouchers and eco-friendly products such as an Eco Kettle, Efergy Smart Meter and Standby Buster Kit.
A ‘Non-Uniform Day’ was also held as part of the event, with funds being put towards a colouring competition for local schools. And members of Foster’s Sales Team generously offered to offset their carbon footprint throughout Green Week from their own pockets. The pedal powered smoothie maker was available to staff throughout the week to give them the opportunity to make themselves healthy “carbon neutral” drinks.
Foster’s Food Service Director, John Savage was the first to pedal-power the smoothie maker. John believes that, as the leading green refrigeration manufacturer, Foster is working hard to uphold their reputation and to encourage more people to think green.
“The pedal-powered smoothie maker is fun way of encouraging staff to continue to think of new ways to keep our carbon emissions as low as possible. At Foster we strive to be green– not just by keeping our carbon footprint low during the manufacturing process but also by making products which are energy efficient and recyclable.
I’m very proud that so many staff have whole-heartedly taken part in Green Week which is extra special this year due to our 40th birthday celebration. I hope everyone at Foster feels as proud as I do to work for a company that not only cares about the environment but encourages its staff to do their bit too.
“Increasingly our customers are demanding greener refrigeration as they realise their own responsibility in respecting the environment. And with the current economic climate, buying energy efficient products that reduce energy bills is a sensible business decision.”
Foster’s Green Week was launched last year and since then almost 40 per cent of staff have chosen to walk or cycle to work regularly. Foster has also dramatically reduced its annual carbon footprint since last year, despite an increase in sales and production. A record year of sales showed a fantastic 9.7 per cent increase in turnover last year however Foster managed to achieve an incredible reduction in carbon emitted by 8.6 per cent per £1m turnover in the same year.
Green Week ties in with Foster’s 40th birthday celebrations and the company is enjoying being at the forefront of green refrigeration technology. Foster has always been the industry’s pioneer in environmental and technological advances, and never more so than this year, with the launch in February 2008 of its range of Eco Pro cabinets – a new range of commercial refrigeration units that offer caterers the greenest refrigeration available.
Posted: 14/09/2008