Pub chain JD Wetherspoon wins Rainforest Alliance award

11th May 2010, 12:43pm

National pub chain, JD Wetherspoon will be honoured at the annual Rainforest Alliance Gala due to be held tomorrow at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

The awards recognise companies that "…continue to make bold commitments to sustainability, despite an uncertain economic landscape, and these commitments improve livelihoods and conserve biodiversity on the ground."

Explaining the importance of the annual awards, president of the Rainforest Alliance, Tensie Whelan said: "Twenty years ago, the Rainforest Alliance had only a handful of companies working with us on their supply chains, and now we have thousands. The companies and individuals honoured during our annual gala are those that show leadership in their efforts to make farms, forests and tourism operations more sustainable so that future generations may also enjoy them."

JD Wetherspoon was recognised for "…quietly demonstrating its commitment to ethical business for some time."

The Rainforest Alliance added: "In 2004, Wetherspoon launched a company-wide recycling initiative and began bringing all of its recycled waste to a national distribution centre. In 2009 alone, nearly 5,500 tons of cardboard, used cooking oil, plastic packaging, paper and steel were recycled through the initiative. The company is also working to reduce its energy consumption by 15% by the end of 2010 and collaborating with suppliers to minimise packaging. In addition, Wetherspoon has begun adopting responsible sourcing practices and now purchases 100 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee for all of its pub locations -- a real boon for coffee growing communities, wildlife and the environment."

Related Articles:

• 14 Oct 2010 - JD Wetherspoon loses finance director and chief operating officer
• 11 Oct 2010 - Wetherspoon pubs to host international beer festival
• 10 Sep 2010 - JD Wetherspoon celebrates record results as it warns government on taxes

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