Greenvale AP has triumphed in the innovation category of the 2010 Re:fresh Awards in recognition of its Project Cascade.

Greenvale AP scooped the Stubbins Innovation of the Year award ahead of Tozer Seeds and Worldwide Fruit in a hard fought category.

Potato packer Greenvale AP, mindful of the need for sustainable processing methods that minimise the use of water has engaged with water plant manufacturers throughout the UK to gain experience and knowledge of the equipment that is available to achieve its objectives.

Project Cascade was the outcome and the closed-loop system promises to combine technology and processes to revolutionise the way the food industry washes fresh produce.

The board of Greenvale invested heavily in the project, but the unique project achieves the following key aims in line with the company’s environmental and product quality mission statements.

Firstly, the continual recycling of process wash water reduces water usage by a minimum of 75 per cent (18 million gallons a year) and Greenvale believes that 85 per cent is the maximum achievable.

Secondly, an in-depth study carried out by an independent party, showed Cascade to be a safe and sustainable recycling system and process enhancement, as well recommending that all vegetable washing should be moved to a similar process.

Greenvale AP general manager Andrew Clarkson told freshinfo: “This win will enable us to launch the concept of Cascade and its sustainable water system throughout fresh produce companies in the UK.

“We have been nominated for, and won, other awards but this is the big one for us and will hopefully generate the interest in the project.”

The Re:fresh judges said: “Greenvale has developed an innovative and original process which successfully addresses a clearly defined problem with water usage.”

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