BENTLEY has become the first automotive manufacturer, and among the first ten organisations in the world, to achieve the Carbon Trust Water Standard.

The recognition comes after the company reduced its water usage by 35.7 per cent over the previous year at its headquarters in Crewe.

Achieving this reduction, Bentley's environmental team implemented a number of initiatives, after calling on support from the wider workforce.

More than 4,000 Crewe-based employees were asked for suggestions on water reduction measures, which resulted in an overhaul of parts of the  factory site.   

Bentley board member Michael Straughan said: "Bentley works hard to continuously improve its overall environmental performance and this achievement recognises our positive commitment to minimising our water footprint.

"We have further measures planned to increase this reduction, and will continue to listen to and integrate positive ideas from our colleagues."

As part of the reduction, Bentley's paint shop and water treatment facilities were renovated, and a dedicated water recycling facility was built.

It enables the company to re-use water efficiently, with little wastage, preparing cars as they enter the paint spraying process.

Bentley also invested heavily in the replacement and modernisation of major sections of both the water main and fire hydrant systems across the site, eliminating many underground leaks that occurred because of the more traditional mains supply pipes.

The Carbon Trust's Darrran Messem said: "As the first carmaker to achieve the water standard, Bentley is setting an example for how production efficiency can deliver significant environmental benefits."

The water use reduction is just one environmental measure that Bentley has put in place at its headquarters, which manufactured over 8,500 cars in 2012. It's latest model is the recently launched new generation Flying Spur.

The company recently installed the UK's largest roof-mounted solar panel system, with over 20,000 solar panels, reducing CO usage by over 2,500 tonnes per year.