Lidl Ireland has announced today (22 February) it has become a verified member of Bord Bia’s Origin Green Sustainability Programme, emphasising its commitment to sustainability in the Irish retail sector.
Origin Green is a renowned, world leading sustainability programme for the entire Irish food and drink industry. Bord Bia established the programme in 2012 at farm level, then moved into manufacturing, and most recently extended and customised the programme for the retail sector.
To become a member of the programme, Lidl Ireland has committed to a comprehensive development plan that sets out clear targets in key areas such as waste emissions, energy, water, responsible sourcing of products, health and nutrition and social sustainability.
Lidl Ireland’s verification will ensure that all elements of the supply chain are actively involved in improving the sustainability in the provision of food and drink to Lidl’s customers in Ireland. Lidl Ireland’s suppliers currently export to Lidl stores in 18 other countries and Lidl Ireland is committed to expanding the export of sustainable Irish produce to its full supply base of 26 countries across Europe.
Twenty Four clear targets have been set out by Lidl Ireland across several areas of the business including; responsible sourcing, environmental impact, employees and the community, all to be achieved by 2020. It’s also planned that 50% of Lidl’s Irish listed food suppliers will be Origin Green members by that date.
John Paul Scally, Managing Director for Lidl Ireland, commented, “Our verification with Bord Bia’s Origin Green Programme demonstrates our ongoing commitment to sustainability. Whilst resource efficiency has always been an integral part of our business model we are aware of the increasing importance of sustainability in the production of food and drink and are committed to further embedding these standards widely across the business.
“We want to ensure that our customers continue to receive the highest quality Irish products and are fully assured of our commitment to the environment. We are also proud to be the only Origin Green retailer who can help support many of our 200 Irish suppliers, to export to our full network of 26 Lidl countries around Europe.”
Tara McCarthy, Chief Executive of Bord Bia, added, “I am delighted on behalf of Bord Bia to welcome Lidl as a verified member of our Origin Green programme. This commitment of Lidl to sustainability and its choice of the Origin Green programme to help it frame targets and deliver independently verified results will, I`m certain encourage others to take the same step and join us on our journey to manage our impact on the environment for the benefit of this and future generations.”
© 2017 - Checkout Magazine by Donncha Mac Cóil
