A CHEMICAL company has found the winning formula for slashing waste.

The Friendly Chemical Co is now saving just under seven tonnes of plastic waste every month – the equivalent in weight of an African elephant.

And since the company – based at Parkwood Street, Keighley – was founded four years ago, the total saved has reached 140 tonnes.

The Friendly Chemical Co manufactures and supplies products for the domestic household and personal care markets.

It is among only a few manufacturers to operate a so-called closed loop system, meaning it reuses and refills every bottle sold to create a zero-waste supply chain.

Customers can access refill stations across the country to top-up their cleaning, laundry and personal care products. Empties are collected by the company to be cleaned and reused on the production line.

The company has continued to grow since it was established by a young entrepreneurial team led by Scott Rudd and Emma Tapper, who devised the concept after meeting at the University of Liverpool.

The business saw its revenues soar by a massive 283 per cent – to £710,000 – in the year ended March 31. And now it is targeting £3 million by 2022.

Mr Rudd said the waste-saved total represented a “major milestone”.

“When we founded the business our goal was to create a chemical manufacturing outfit that actually had a positive impact on the environment,” he said.

“To have reached 140 tonnes of waste saved is a major milestone for us.

“We know consumers are increasingly opting for greener lifestyles – and as a ‘fast moving consumer goods’ manufacturer, it’s our responsibility to make sure the entire production process is as environmentally sound as possible.

“Even the creation of eco-friendly products can be environmentally damaging, so we’re careful to use ingredients and processes that keep us carbon negative.

“A closed loop system means we can guarantee a completely zero-waste supply chain, which has been really well received by our stockists and customers. Our Miniml product has only been on the market for just over a year and we have undergone rapid growth. We’re looking to replicate the same process as we branch into skin care and cosmetics next year.”