Creed Foodservice is performing well against the sustainability targets it set last year and is on track for its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2025, with emissions having now been reduced by 35% from 2019 to 2022.
The foodservice wholesaler is also aiming to achieve net zero by 2035, with the overall targets forming part of the business’ commitment to set more challenging goals that deliver tangible change quickly.
Creed’s Sustainability director, Philip Creed, said: “We knew these targets that we set along with the help of ClimatePartner would be a huge challenge for us, but as a team we are rising to meet them. The concerted commitment to making changes in our day-to-day operations by staff across the board has been incredible. It really is a case of every little helping.
Read more: Creed reveal highest food price increases in four decades
“We’ve seen real empowerment amongst employees in all areas of the business and have been bowled over by just how driven everyone is to achieving these goals together. We’ve still got a long way to go to achieve Net Zero, but are tracking well against our targets so far. It’s exciting to think where we might be in a year’s time.
As part of the changes being made across the business, throughout 2022 Creed invested over £750,000 installing over 2,500 solar panels at four of its five sites. It’s been estimated that these panels will reduce energy consumption by 30%, as well as producing in the region of 900,000Kwhs/210TCo2 annually, feeding any excess back into the grid.
Creed is also making a point of giving preference to suppliers who also ensure minimising environmental impact is at the heart of what they do, with a review of sustainable policies and values being a key part of the procurement process.
The company also continues to implement a number of key processes across the business to ensure it maintains a landfill-free status, with waste being collected and used for energy, or recycled. Staff are encouraged to suggest changes to processes and systems on a regular basis through a suggestions box, with an aim to reduce energy and physical materials use. Recently, a change to the invoicing process, suggested by a member of staff, has saved a significant amount of paper being used unnecessarily each year.
