BRADFORD-based British Asian restaurant chain MyLahore has eliminated sending waste to landfill sites through a new recycling partnership.

The family-run company, which also has restaurants in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham, teamed up with waste and resource management company FCC earlier this year to improve its recycling rates.

Since then My Lahore - whose regular customers include two-time world champion boxer Amir Khan- has implemented new systems at its four Bradford and Leeds venues and changed working practices to improve its green credentials. It has also achieved significant cost savings.

Vicky Hemdev, MyLahore's social media and marketing manager, said: “We started working with FCC Environment and they came up with a great plan, giving us the training, skills and working practices to recycle or reuse virtually everything.

“It’s been a really efficient and sensible process and our staff have been very receptive to it..

“The financial savings we’ve created are important but it’s just as important to think about the future, the environment and show the world and our customers that we’re a responsible business.”

MyLahore and FCC Environment believe the Bradford and Leeds restaurants are the first British Asian restaurants in the area to have implemented the zero waste to landfill system and introduce recycling of all waste .

Under the new system, staff take responsibility for separating glass, food, mixed recycling (plastics, cardboard, some metal, paper) and general waste.

Cooking oil is also harvested, cleaned and recycled with assistance from FCC Environment.

A range of measures and training procedures have been implemented to ensure continuity and sustainability while FCC Environment collects, processes, reuses and recycles the waste.

Before the initiative, MyLahore's flagship Bradford premises had been creating around 39 tonnes of waste each year with nearly 33 tonnes being sent to landfill .

Now, almost 25 tonnes is recycled while more than six tonnes of food waste is sent to generate electricity. The remainder goes through a process to remove any recyclable material with the leftover material again being used to produce electricity, with zero waste going to landfill.

Kristian Dales, FCC Environment sales, marketing and communications director, added : “Our partnership with MyLahore is a prime example of the benefits that a change in recycling culture can bring to SMEs.

“The company has truly embraced the changing working culture not just for profitability reasons but also because it is a responsible business which cares about the community.

“At FCC Environment our aim is to unlock that potential for all of our clients by providing the facilities, training, advice and support they need.”