24 November 2014

SFDF, RES and Interface Food & Drink Scoop Interface Collaboration Award

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A Scottish Industry Advisory Group (IAG) which is committed to making the best use of the food and drink industry's diminishing resources and reduce waste has won a major Scottish award.

This group set up in partnership between the Scottish Food and Drink Federation¹ (SFDF), Zero Waste Scotland's Resource Efficient Scotland (RES) Programme² and Interface Food & Drink³ scooped the Multi Party Collaboration Award at the Interface Excellence Awards 2014⁴, in Edinburgh on Thursday night.

The IAG acts as a forum to identify and prioritise the most pressing sustainability issues in food and drink. The group then works collaboratively on solutions to these creating examples of best practice and disseminating case studies to the entire industry to ensure the maximum possible impact.

The judges recognised the common goal of the wide range of businesses in improving waste management as a general business improvement, as well as contributing to the green agenda. The judges also noted that the academic partners have been crucial in driving the group forward, providing new knowledge and continued guidance which has allowed the group to make significant headway in improved resource efficiency which will be a benefit to all Scottish businesses irrespective of industry or sector.

The group has participated in a variety of academic led research projects including a bio-treatment project which involves seven members of the group working with Aberdeen University to reduce the organic content and treatment costs of their waste water.

Mary Lawton, SFDF's Policy and Industry Liaison Manager, said: “We are excited to have won this award which recognises the collaborative approach being taken between SFDF, RES, and Interface Food & Drink. This accolade is a tribute to the hard work and willingness of the food and drink companies on the group to work in this way on resource efficiency.“

Marissa Lippiatt, Head of Resource Efficient Scotland, said: “Working in collaboration with key partners is at the heart of what we do at Resource Efficient Scotland, so we're absolutely delighted to receive this award. Becoming more resource efficient really does have far-reaching benefits, and the success of this partnership approach is testament to this.“

Helen Pratt, Project Manager Interface Food & Drink, said: “The Industry Advisory Group on Resource Efficiency shows not only that the support agencies can work in close alignment with each other but that companies and universities can and will collaborate to the mutual benefit of all. Collaborations like this are making a real difference to the Scottish economy.“

Notes for editors

1. The Scottish Food and Drink Federation is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – Scotland's largest manufacturing sector.
2. Zero Waste Scotland's Resource Efficient Scotland is a programme to help the public and private sectors save money by using resources more efficiently.
3. Interface Food & Drink is an organisation which promotes partnerships between business and academics.
4. The Interface Excellence Awards acknowledge the significant contribution that knowledge exchange makes to Scotland's economy. Academic partnerships facilitated by Interface currently contribute a substantial £17.1 million boost to Scotland's GVA each year, and that figure is set to increase to £80m by 2018, according to the growth projections of businesses which have worked with Interface. The awards recognise and celebrate the economic, social and innovative impacts arising from these partnerships.

For More information, please contact:

SFDF Kirsty Ritchie on 0131 222 8040

For media enquires contact:

FDF Anna Taylor on 0207 420 7118 anna.taylor@fdf.org.uk

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