There will never be too many creative solutions when it comes to sustainability.
With the help of a new product from resource management company, Veolia, sustainability in the U.K. agrifood industry just got a leg up. Under the company’s Arden brand, the Agribed is a bedding material made from paper industry waste.
“Veolia’s Arden branded products are widely respected for poultry bedding solutions, and Agribed now adds an important circular economy solution that can help reduce costs in the industry. By recycling an underused source of material this further helps to reduce waste, increases sustainability for the industry, and also has the potential for cutting carbon,” said COO Donald Macphail. “During a period of uncertainty in many supply chains, the Agribed product now offers high quality bedding options and will help maintain consistent reliable supplies at affordable prices.”
The process starts with discarded fiber from paper mills which is then kiln-dried into a paper crumb bedding with high absorbency and easily crumbled. The composition and pH of the material also reduces ammonia and pododermatitis.
Agribed has been approved by the U.K. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, the U.K. Environmental Agency and Red Tractor, a U.K. farm and food production standards organization.
Veolia is already working with 300 poultry farms with the goal of meeting a quarter of U.K. demand.
About Veolia
According to its mission statement, Veolia’s purpose is to “resource the world” through its environmental services business and is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. Some of these environmental services include treating water pollution, decontaminating soil and reducing air pollution.
Veolia’s Arden brand supplies bedding material to various segments of the agriculture industry including equestrian, poultry and dairy farmers, agricultural colleges and dairy research centers.
