UK-based convenience foods company Greencore has pledged to make all packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025 as part of a new sustainability strategy announced by the company.
The strategy includes a range of pledges across the areas of sourcing, manufacturing, and community engagement, such as a reduction in food waste by 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.
Goals
In addition, the company plans to develop a fully recyclable sandwich skillet, which is to enter the market in 2021, a deforestation-free supply chain by 2025, and sustainable sourcing of all raw materials by 2030.
The company will donate all surplus products to local communities by 2022 and split product development equally between animal protein and plant-rich alternatives by 2030.
In recent years, Greencore has made significant progress in the area of sustainability.
Since 2018, it has reduced energy consumption by 10%, water usage by 9%, and total net Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions by 39%.
In 2020 alone, the manufacturer donated over 1.5 million meals to people in need as part of community engagement and social responsibility targets.
'A Real Difference'
Patrick Coveney, chief executive officer of Greencore, said, "At Greencore, we are passionate about playing our part in building a fairer and more resilient food system for generations to come.
"We want to ensure that our actions and products make a real difference in improving people's lives – whether it's through the provision of tasty, healthier, affordable food, gainful employment, or social development. The pledges that we have made reflect our long-term ambitions for sustainability, as well as our confidence that we can realise them."
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