Heinz Sets Out Sustainability Plan
Heinz UK & Ireland has developed a set of nine sustainability goals in its drive to continue to reduce its environmental footprint and protect natural resources for future generations
The nine sustainability goals, with a target date of 2011, are:
• Greenhouse gas emissions – a 25% reduction
• Energy consumption – a 25% reduction
• Renewable energy – 15% to come from renewable sources
• Water – a 35% reduction
• Packaging – a 7% total packaging reduction and 15% reduction in carbon emissions
• Transport – a 25% reduction in carbon emissions
• Waste/landfill – a 20% reduction in solid waste
• Agriculture – a 15% reduction in carbon emissions; 15% reduction in water usage and improvements in yields of 5% by 2015
• Personal sustainability – encouraging and supporting UK & Ireland employee engagement through a voluntary personal sustainability campaign
A number of initiatives are already underway to achieve the targets set. For example, the introduction of new PET plastic bottles for Heinz Tomato Ketchup will result in a saving of 340 tonnes of plastic material each year. Heinz is leading the industry on lightweighting its can ends, which are the lightest on the planet.
These sustainability goals are stepping stones towards Heinz UK & Ireland’s vision for the future, namely:
• To become carbon and water neutral and send no waste to landfill
• To achieve continuous improvements in the health and wellness of its products and employees
• To enhance the social and economic wellbeing of all communities in which the company is a part
Dave Woodward, Heinz President UK & Ireland, commented: “Heinz is committed to making a real difference to the environment. In the UK & Ireland we will play a key role in helping the company to achieve its global vision. That vision is to be recognised as the trusted leader in nutrition and wellness, dedicated to the sustainable health of people, the planet and the company.”
“Our longer term vision is clearly ambitious and stretching with much work to be done, however, the nine sustainability goals build on activity already underway and provide real targets for everyone within the company to work together to achieve.”