Colebridge Enterprises have recently recycled more than 1500 cardboard boxes, which is 4-5 weeks of use. Colebridge are recycling with a Birmingham-based company who recycle cardboard in a more sustainable and green way
On average, Colebridge Enterprises have approximately 300 boxes used per week. Previously, all used cardboard boxes were collected by a company on behalf of Colebridge Enterprise’s customer, however, recently the collections stopped, with no indication of restarting.
Once this problem arised, to dispose of these boxes would have been at a significant cost to Colebridge Enterprises as a business, which resulted in seeking an alternative to disposing of waste.
It was here that Colebridge Enterprises were able to find a sustainable solution. The company who carries out the cardboard box reuse with does this though involving the separation of once used boxes from factory generated waste cardboard. The boxes are sorted and graded then sold for reuse. This method is considered one of, if not the, the most environmentally friendly disposal route.
As a result of this method of cardboard box reuse, Colebridge Enterprises not only were able to find a sustainable solution to the problem, but also receive some income flow from it, which could be reinvested back into the business.
Colebridge Enterprise used the income generated from this in order to reinvest into reducing energy costs. For example, LED lighting is being purchased, to go from 50% coverage to 100% coverage of the company’s unit in Solihull.
Colebridge Enterprises is a light assembly social enterprise, set-up by registered charity, The Colebridge Trust. The Colebridge Trust was set up to “build the capacity of Solihull’s borough-wide communities, addressing social, economic and environmental deprivation and improving the life chances of its people.” Find out more on Colebridge Enterprise’s Made in the Midlands microsite.