AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - AkzoNobel's Decorative Paints business in the UK has been awarded the Carbon Trust Triple Standard, becoming one of the first companies to be recertified for all three Carbon Trust Standards for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, waste and water usage.

To achieve each of the standards, organizations need to demonstrate year-on-year reductions. AkzoNobel Decorative Paints UK has held the Carbon Trust Standard continuously since 2009, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing its impact on the environment.

As well as saving more than 1,000 tons of paint waste a year through recycling, the business recently introduced an award-winning heating and cooling system at its Slough headquarters designed to save £335,000 off the annual energy bill.

“It’s fantastic to have the international recognition of the Carbon Trust for our efforts,” said Susan Kendall, Sustainability Director, UK & Ireland, for AkzoNobel Decorative Paints. “We put the environment at the heart of everything we do and our teams are always challenging, questioning and innovating to ensure we do more, while using less, right across the business.”

Added Darran Messem, Managing Director for Carbon Trust Certification: “AkzoNobel has for many years demonstrated a clear commitment to becoming a more sustainable business, which resulted in the company becoming one of the first organizations to achieve certification to the Carbon Trust Standard for carbon, water and waste two years ago, making real reductions in all three resources year-on-year.

“We are now delighted to award recertification to AkzoNobel for continuing to make ongoing improvements and I would like to congratulate everyone in the business that has helped to accomplish this.”

This year, AkzoNobel achieved the highest Carbon Trust score in its sector for carbon management performance, demonstrating excellent management of carbon in day-to-day operations.

Other projects that contributed to the success include a rainwater harvesting system at the company’s manufacturing plant in Prudhoe, which saves around 900,000 liters of water a year, and has won a British Coatings Federation Sustainable Innovation Award.