In the heart of Birmingham, a transformative sustainability journey is unfolding at the Birmingham Wholesale Market (BWM), thanks to the visionary leadership of Andrew Barnes, its General Manager.
We sat down with Andrew to delve into his commitment to sustainability, the collaboration with Axil, and their mission to lead BWM toward a net-zero future.
Q: Your passion for sustainability is clear. Could you tell us where this passion comes from and how it led you to Birmingham Wholesale Market?
I’ve spent over 20 years working in markets, and I’m proud to call myself Bradford-born and bred. My journey towards sustainability began there with a waste project that ignited my passion for making a difference. I started to challenge the status quo. This project reshaped my perspective on markets, and we made loads of changes, I was keen to bring the initiatives and successes to Birmingham.
I was drawn to BWM because it’s not only one of the largest but also the newest wholesale market in the country. I saw an opportunity to revolutionise the space into the safest and most sustainable place for our customers and tenants. Prioritising sustainability ensures that the market can operate in the long term. It reduces the environmental impact and helps secure the resources needed for continued growth.
Sustainable practices often lead to cost savings too! In my five years, we’ve introduced LED lighting, a raft of health & safety installations, and other measures to enhance the sustainability and safety of all.
Q: Can you briefly describe what BWM is all about and its significance in the region?
We are truly unique in the UK. The market boasts a strong tenant association and is one of the largest integrated wholesale markets in Europe and the largest in the UK. BWM is poised to become the focal point for fresh produce to pubs, restaurants, hotels, caterers, and local retailers, a vital player in the supply chain for the Midlands, surrounding areas and beyond.
It will be interesting to see what is in store at Dagenham Dock when the markets of the City of London combine to form their new market, but for now we are truly unique in how we embed sustainability in everything we do and strive to improve our environmental performance in every way we can.
Q: What does the future of waste management with Axil look like at Birmingham Wholesale Market?
The future is promising, and I am so glad to be working with Axil and having the same sustainability objectives. This partnership will help us meet future regulatory requirements ensuring that the market won’t face compliance issues down the line.
Our aim is for the market and waste management compound to operate at net zero.
We are in the process of moving to electric vehicles, which marks a significant step towards our goal of going green. We’re also brought in technology that significantly reduces waste by segregating different materials. This has already greatly reduced the amount of waste sent to incineration, promoted recycling, and ultimately reduced emissions and costs for us, and our tenants.
Solar panels are just around the corner too, which will help harness natural energy to power the whole site, reducing our environmental footprint and associated risks.
We’re always looking into ways to transform waste into something valuable, ultimately allowing us to provide even more benefits and cost savings to our tenants.
Q: Achieving net zero is a monumental goal. How do you envision reaching this goal, and what does it mean for BWM?
Achieving net zero is on my mind 24/7! Everything we do is geared toward reducing service charges, making the market more appealing to new tenants and more sustainable for existing traders, whilst bringing fresh and exciting produce to the region.
The strategy encompasses not only reducing service charges but also creating an environment that entices new traders who value sustainability and want to work in a space that aligns with their own values and corporate social responsibility goals.
Our user-friendly “pay as you throw” initiative discourages excess produce, minimising waste. Waste fees are charged based on the weight of products and packaging presented to Axil at the weighing. This initiative is hassle-free and simple to implement, with substantial benefits. We’re working closely with our tenants to ensure they grasp the advantages of this weight-based scheme. Together, we’re not just talking about sustainability – we’re actively implementing it.
With Axil’s partnership, waste disposal is secure, waste management initiatives are actively promoted, and tenants are educated on the benefits of reducing waste.
The introduction of a recycling pallet system incentivises sustainable practices, channelling rebates back to tenants.
With a vigilant eye on plastics, the goal is to transform waste into a commodity, using data-backed insights to track progress and energy achievements.
We’re leaving no stone unturned to achieve this.
Q: What do you look for in a waste management partner, and why has Axil been the right fit for BWM?
I’ve been championing Axil because they take our ideas on board and deliver. Our partnership thrives because when I propose something, Axil adds their expertise to find the best solution.
The financial arrangement where we can rent to buy innovative equipment, which means ownership at the end, makes our sustainability goals possible. It’s real partnership working, and I truly value Axil’s commitment to delivering on promises.
Q: Besides waste reduction, have you encountered any challenges or lessons during this sustainability journey with Axil that you’d like to share?
The tailored approach and adaptable solutions from Axil have really made a substantial impact. They’ve not only lived up to their commitments but have also provided a waste service that perfectly matches our objectives.
The key lesson here is that effective waste management can be both budget-friendly and tailored to different financial capacities.
Through our collaboration with Axil, we’ve discovered solutions that not only enhance our services but also create additional revenue streams.
This underscores the importance of demonstrating the great outcomes that can arise from simple measures, like examining just what is being thrown into the bins.
While bin dives may seem simple, they’ve been instrumental in showing our tenants that with a little effort and consideration, they can save money alongside the other ongoing initiatives.
Services designed to benefit everyone, offering a solid return on investment, or even generating extra income for our tenants, all at little to no additional cost.
Q: What advice would you give to other companies looking to embark on similar sustainability journeys?
My advice is simple: examine your processes, as even small changes can increase recycling and reduce disposal costs.
Collaboration with Axil has allowed us to identify changes that we may not have thought about. Transparency is crucial; be open about your sustainability targets and what you’re doing to achieve them. Sustainability is not just about doing what’s right for the environment but also what’s right for your business.
Conclusion:
Andrew Barnes and the Birmingham Wholesale Market are leading the way in sustainability, showing that a commitment to reducing waste and fostering partnerships can yield transformative results.
Their journey is not just about words; it’s about acting and making a positive impact on the environment, the market, and the community.
What Axil does is real! This is action not just words.
Want to know more about this flourishing partnership? Learn more in our Birmingham Wholesale Market case study here.