Spitz

Outsourcing waste management saves EUR 90,000 per year

Spitz, one of the biggest players in Austria’s food industry, decided to outsource the entire waste management function to ARAplus. Which turned out to be a smart move – together, we were able to reduce residual waste to 8 percent of total waste while at the same time lowering costs and streamlining processes.

Food operators have to reconcile cost-conscious production with high quality standards and sustainability. For Spitz, this also includes the conscious and efficient management of packaging materials and waste: Reducing waste, lowering costs and streamlining waste management processes have long been high priorities for the company. To achieve these goals, Spitz has worked with ARAplus and ARES since 2010 – and has clocked up some notable successes.

First we looked at the situation as is. Specifically, we examined where waste and recyclable streams come from. Then we worked out a detailed master plan that would allow for better separation and sorting of the different materials. Our solution had to be practicable and effective under real production conditions.

Outsourcing as the best solution
Today, ARAplus and ARES take care of the entire waste management process for Spitz. We provide qualified staff for the collection and sorting of waste as well as the required presses and shredders. We also run the company’s waste collection centre, pick up waste from the different production units and ensure that the waste is sorted, recovered and disposed of. Other tasks include data management and reporting as well as the continuous evaluation, optimisation and adaptation of measures e.g. in light of changed legal requirements.

The results are impressive: Outsourcing waste management to ARAplus has helped Spitz save around EUR 90,000 per year. In addition, the share of residual waste in total waste has declined substantially since 2010, which is good for both Spitz and the environment.

“Since ARES took over our company’s waste management in April 2010, the share of residual waste has declined by more than 20 percent, while the share of recyclables has increased by the same proportion. Sorting of recyclables has improved so we can ask a higher price for the materials. The cost savings achieved in the first few years are in the double-digit percentage range.”

Josef Mayer
CEO Spitz GmbH