Kendal-based papermaker James Cropper has been acknowledged by industry experts for its commitment to sustainability - in Shanghai.

The company has won the Green Award for its support to Burneside Community Energy (BCE) at the Luxe Pack exhibition.

This event describes itself as “the premier show for creative packaging” and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2017.

Group packaging director Susan Wilson presented the scheme to a panel of experts including British sustainability advisor Charlie Mathews and vice president of purchasing and development from Chanel, Damien Parenteau.

Ms Wilson said: “We are thrilled that the Burneside Community Energy Scheme has been recognised by Luxe Pack.

"It’s just one of many green initiatives that we are proud to be involved in. There is an enormous appetite for sustainability in the industry at the moment, from manufacturers like us to end clients and everyone in between.

"We have made a strong commitment to proactively innovate in this area, from ensuring our pulp supply is FSC regulated to installing the a unique reclaimed fibre plant with the capability of recycling paper cups at our mill in 2013.”

BCE is a social initiative that included the installation of a solar panel on the roof of Cropper’s Burnside mill to generate clean and green electricity.

The installation has enabled residents to benefit from renewable energy and was launched in December 2015.

Member of James Cropper’s stability team Julie Tomlinson explained: “With BCE we set out to generate greener energy in a way that doesn’t compromise the special ecology or superb landscape of Burneside and Cumbria and the project also rewards the parish and its investors with ethical energy and financial benefits.

"It really is terrific to see that our efforts are paying off already.

"It’s estimated that the initiative will reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by 1.91 million kilograms over the next two decades," she added.

"It’s helping to create a positive, sustainable legacy for future generations in Burneside, while reducing our dependency on fossil fuels.”

The installation generates enough renewable electricity per year to power 50 UK homes and has seen a positive return in investment with the scheme delivering a five per cent annual dividend to investors and an additional £50,000 fund to deliver social and environmental benefits to Burneside over the next twenty years.

Profits from the scheme have been generated through a Government feed-in-tariff from the sale of electricity to the business that is part of the manufacturer’s commitment to supporting the local community and reducing its carbon dioxide emissions.

Luxe Pack also acknowledged James Cropper as a loyal exhibitor and has recently been shortlisted for Insider Media’s ‘Made in the Northwest Awards.’