Greggs eyes carbon neutrality, improved diversity through new sustainability pledges
The company also committed to using 25% less packaging.
Greggs unveiled a new set of sustainability commitments, pledging to become a carbon-neutral business, use 100% renewable energy and improve workforce diversity.
According to the company’s corporate website, the chain will be “on its way” to achieving carbon neutrality through a commitment to using 100% renewable energy across its operations by 2025. In addition, 25% of shops will feature innovative low-carbon designs and solutions.
The company also committed to use 25% less packaging by weight against a 2019 baseline, with the remaining packaging will consist of widely recycled material.
Food waste is also included in the new set of commitments, with a 25% reduction compared to 2018 targeted while continuing to work towards a goal to ensure 100% of surplus food being donated or redistributed.
Specifically, Greggs will support 1,000 school Breakfast Clubs to provide around 70,000 free meals each school day.
A new sourcing policy will also be introduced, which the bakery giant will report on annually. The company has also agreed to secure and maintain Tier 1 as part of the BBFAW Animal Welfare standard.
Greggs will also aim to have 30% of its food items consisting of healthier choices for consumers by 2025. In the same timeframe, Greggs said it will strive to ensure that its workforce reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
Greggs’ chief executive Roger Whiteside said: “As a modern business, it is our duty to stand for more than just profit, and our history shows that we are doing exactly that. We have a proud reputation of giving back to our people, suppliers and communities, and we know that more can be done to change the world for the better.”
