“I would recommend the course to anyone implementing a sustainability strategy”
Encirc Team
Diploma in Business Sustainability Graduates
Encirc, part of the Vidrala Group, is a market leader in glass container design, manufacturing, bottling, and logistics for the UK and Irish food and beverage industries.
With almost 1,200 employees across two sites (Derrylin in Northern Ireland and Elton in Cheshire), the company produces over 2.5 billion glass containers annually and fills up to 250 million litres of beverages each year.
To support its commitment to sustainable business practices, Encirc invested in sustainability education for its workforce. So far, 25 team members have completed the Institute of Sustainability Studies’ Diploma in Business Sustainability, with more set to enrol.
Why did Encirc choose the Institute of Sustainability Studies training solutions?
The company was introduced to the Diploma through its Sustainability Director, Fiacre O’Donnell. Theresa Clarke, Environmental Manager at Encirc, explains: “We found a lot of the modules aligned with our values and offered a roadmap for how we could implement sustainability across departments—not just in production, but also in purchasing and finance.”
Encirc saw the Diploma as an opportunity to build a shared language and understanding of sustainability across the business. The course’s flexibility and breadth made it an ideal fit.
“The flexibility of the course has been really helpful for our team. They have a year to complete it, and that makes it more accessible to everyone regardless of their role,” adds Theresa.
What impact did the training have across different roles?
Encirc encouraged colleagues across departments to complete the course, and the impact has been tangible. From engineering to customer service, employees are applying their learning to reduce waste, rethink materials, and support biodiversity initiatives.
Ian Corrigan, a Department Manager with over 25 years at Encirc, shared how the course influenced procurement decisions: “The course opened my eyes to waste. We’ve gone back to manufacturers to request recyclable materials and now get almost all our equipment in wooden boxes. It made me more aware of water use too—we’re exploring new ways to clean our equipment without excessive water.”
Others, like Mechanical Engineer, William Jones, have become more aware of the bigger picture: “We’re using a lot of energy and materials in our processes, and balancing that on the sustainability scale is difficult. The course opened my eyes to what we’re doing inside the factory and helped me understand how we need to adapt to meet EU standards and the UN SDGs.”
How did the training support wider cultural change?
The ripple effect of the training has extended into customer engagement and community involvement. Katrina McCarroll, Customer Excellence Supervisor in Derrylin, has been with the business since 2006.
After joining the biodiversity committee and completing the training in 2024, she expanded her outreach through education: “The course gave me the confidence to raise awareness about the benefits of glass packaging—from taste to health and environmental impact. It also helped us apply circular economy principles to our school outreach, encouraging children to compost food waste and grow their own fruit and veg.”
Sustainability is now part of how Encirc talks about its product, engages its workforce, and delivers value to communities.
What did the team at Encirc enjoy most about the Diploma course?
Multiple employees highlighted the course’s accessible format and user-friendly design. Andrew Hessen, who has been with Encirc for three years, appreciated the layout: “The course was easy to follow and suited to all types of learners. It definitely helped me make more sustainable decisions in my role, especially in waste reduction.”
William echoes that sentiment: “The way the course was laid out was fantastic. The ability to go back and refresh your mind was really helpful. Everything was kept in good order and easy to understand.”
What long-term value has Encirc gained from completing the training?
Theresa emphasises that involving a wider team has helped Encirc better document its sustainability projects: “We’ve learned that even smaller initiatives—like rethinking packaging or shifting cleaning methods—can have a big impact. The team now understands sustainability terminology and feels empowered to propose and lead sustainable changes.”
One example is Ian Corrigan’s project on-site supplies: “Ian realised we could buy in bulk and eliminate plastic waste streams. That awareness came directly from the course.”
Would Encirc recommend our business training solutions?
Encirc has already seen 25 team members complete the Diploma, with more set to enrol in 2025. Plans are underway to expand the initiative across other sites, including their filling site in Bristol.
“I would definitely recommend the course to anyone implementing a sustainability strategy or wanting to understand how sustainable their business can be,” says Theresa. “It’s easy to complete while offering a lot of valuable knowledge.”
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If your business is looking to gain a comprehensive and practical understanding of sustainability—and apply it effectively across your organisation—get in touch to explore tailored training options aligned with your goals and priorities.
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