Encirc is a glass manufacturing business specialising in the production, filling and distribution of glass bottles and containers for the food and beverage sector. Its operations span the full glass packaging value chain. The business also benefits from significant landholdings across its sites, including areas of undeveloped land that provide opportunities to support biodiversity and nature. Our Elton site in Cheshire predominantly comprises ash-dominated woodland, providing an important natural asset within our operational estate.

The issue

According to the Woodland Trust, Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is a disease that will eventually kill up to 80% of ash trees across the UK. At a cost of billions, the effects will be staggering, and it will change the landscape forever. More information can be found on Ash dieback here. As our Elton site includes an ash-dominated deciduous woodland, a clear plan of action is necessary to manage the impacts of ash dieback, protect the woodland and safeguard the flora and fauna it supports

What the company did

With support from our expert grounds-maintenance team and external consultants, we commissioned an arboricultural assessment to understand the woodland’s condition and the extent of ash dieback. This informed a multi-faceted woodland management plan, integrated into our wider long-term nature-management strategy. Our dedicated grounds maintenance team identified affected ash trees across the site and established an annual monitoring programme. We have also developed a 10-year replanting strategy to support woodland resilience, biodiversity and habitat continuity.

“While we cannot prevent the impacts of ash dieback, we can take action to support the long-term health and resilience of our woodland. Our dedicated replanting programme will help maintain woodland cover, strengthen biodiversity and protect the habitats and species that depend on it for years to come.”

Aimee Brown, chair of biodiversity committee – encirc

How Business in the Community helped Encirc

We have greatly benefited from using the Business & Biodiversity Charter, which has provided us with a clear and practical framework for identifying, prioritising and delivering biodiversity projects across our sites. It has helped steer our approach to biodiversity within our direct operations, while also encouraging action across areas where we can influence positive outcomes. The Charter provides a consistent structure for setting priorities, tracking progress and identifying opportunities for improvement, while strengthening accountability for biodiversity across the business. This has supported a more coordinated approach to nature, ensuring biodiversity considerations are increasingly embedded in site planning, projects and ongoing operations.