Tomorrow and Beyond

Improvements in recycling mean that the small amount of factory waste that was going to landfill has fallen by more than 99%, to just 3.57 kg per vehicle last year. But that is not the only thing we recycle.

In our paint shop, we use reverse osmosis treatment units to ensure the water we use is pure enough to give every car a peerless finish. Yet for every three litres of water we use this way, only one litre goes into the paint. In response, we have installed recycling systems that capture that waste water, so we can put it to use elsewhere on the factory site.

As a result of initiatives like this – which also include improvements to our processes and rainwater roof collection – the amount of water we use in building our cars has fallen by 55.9% in the past ten years, from 21.1 cubic metres per vehicle to 9.31 cubic metres per vehicle. All in all, the reduction is equal to around 150 bathtubs of water per car.

To help improve biodiversity across the Bentley site, we have installed a green wall at the factory. The first of its kind in South Cheshire, it contains over 2,600 plants, spanning 28 different species of ferns, grasses and evergreens. Every plant was grown locally and is individually potted in the wall. To irrigate them without wasting water, a special automated system ensures they get exactly the right amount of hydration, all year round. In just one year, the wall is predicted to produce around 40 kg of oxygen, while also helping to filter out toxins and dust.

The green wall is not the only way we are boosting local biodiversity. There are now 1,000,000 British Apis Mellifera honeybees living in ten hives we have set up on the factory site, in an area in which we have also planted over a thousand wild flowers. With each hive capable of producing 15kg of honey, over 200 jars can be shared by colleagues and visitors every year – proof that we are helping the local ecosystem to thrive.

Established in 2005, the Leather Working Group is comprised of leather manufacturers, traders, suppliers, technical experts, as well as brands and retailers, representing a range of industries from fashion, accessories and footwear, to homewares and interiors – and now, luxury automotive. Aiming to improve environmental performance in the leather industry, the Leather Working Group audits leather manufacturers against clear best practice benchmarks and stringent audit standards which are independently monitored.

Bentley is now a fully approved corporate member and is working towards ensuring that by the end of 2021, all of its leather is sourced from suppliers and tanneries that have successfully completed the Leather Working Group audit process, with the end goal of each one achieving the Leather Working Group’s gold standard award through a culture of continuous improvement.

Our commitment to a greener future extends beyond the boundaries of the Bentley organisation. It even encompasses our approach to choosing brand partners. A demonstration is Bentley’s partnership with the elite Scotch whisky distiller, The Macallan. As two of the world’s most iconic luxury brands, Bentley and The Macallan share a long-established tradition of craftsmanship, creativity and innovation – and they share a vision of a more sustainable future, too.

Beginning with the launch of the Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid in the stunning landscape of The Macallan Estate in Scotland, we are now working together on numerous green initiatives. Among them is a drive to promote the use of sustainable materials and develop a community of artisan suppliers. The partnership will build on research already undertaken by both brands, covering responsible sourcing and packaging, both of which will prove fundamental in the creation of mutually curated products, experiences, and content.