FDBusiness.com

Bakkavor, the UK’s leading producer of fresh prepared food, is making progress on its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and food waste, as well as defining a roadmap to ensure the sourcing of raw materials is environmentally sound. Employing around 18,500 people, Bakkar operate from 44 sites across our three markets supplying a portfolio of over 2,900 products across meals, pizza & bread, salads and desserts to leading grocery retailers in the UK and US, and international food brands in China.

Positively, Bakkavor’s Group net carbon emissions reduced by 18.9% in 2022 compared to 2021’s levels, supported by investment in refrigeration upgrades and energy initiatives. This improvement was seen across all regions with the UK, US and China delivering a 15.3%, 18.7% and 25.5% reduction in net emissions respectively. In 2022, Bakkavor also improved its measurement and reporting of its carbon footprint, with the introduction of a quarterly Group carbon footprint analysis. The business remains on course to be Net Zero across Group operations by 2040.

A focus on reducing food waste saw levels drop from 9.15% to 8.05% in the space of 12 months – equivalent to over 6,000 tonnes of food. This was achieved with the introduction of a dedicated taskforce to ensure the timely and accurate measurement and reporting of wastage, the identification of root causes, and pinpointing opportunities for recycling.   In addition, the amount of surplus food redistributed has increased by 9.8% – the equivalent of 1.5 million meals, more than 360,000 of which went to various charities.

As part of its aim to procure raw materials in a way that is as environmentally sound as possible, Bakkavor has strengthened its commitment to ensure zero net deforestation and conversion-free sourcing by 2025 for the high-risk raw materials used (palm oil, soy, carton board-based packaging and beef). Since 2012, all palm oil is sourced through sustainable standards. As of 2022, 98.8% is from segregated Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) supply chains (with the remainder sourced through mass balance certification credits), all primary cardboard packaging is sourced from wood pulp from sustainable sources, and all of the beef procured for the UK business comes from retailer approved European farms that are not high risk for deforestation or land use conversion.

Other operational progress in 2022 included:

• Plastic reduction: In 2022, Bakkavor removed 2,429 tonnes of plastic from the UK business, equivalent to a 12% reduction in total volume achieved in a year. Additionally, as of this year, 100% of UK plastic packaging is now either reusable or recyclable
• More sustainable and healthier products: 52% of Bakkavor’s products are vegetarian (up from 50% in 2021), 62% of its products are healthier options as defined by the UK’s Department of Health UK Nutrient Profiling Model (up from 60% in 2021).

Bakkavor’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report 2022 provides further detail on the above progress on its Trusted Partner ESG strategy, as well as its contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals.  To view the report, click here.

Caroline Carson, Head of Group ESG Strategy at Bakkavor, commented: “The escalating importance of environmental, social and governance at all levels of the business continues to drive our focus on three strategic priorities where we can make a real difference. Our commitment to Net Zero operational carbon emissions by 2040 has become a major focus for the Group and is a task that requires significant cross-functional support and teamwork. We are also actively pursuing projects to look at decarbonising our supply chain.

“We are proud of the progress we have made in 2022, particularly against the industry-wide headwinds our business faced last year. While 2023 presents its own challenges, we are confident that our ESG agenda strengthens and compliments Bakkavor’s business strategy, helping the company to fulfil its purpose and grow in a positive and sustainable way.”