Environment
One of our core values is to deliver and champion environmental best practice, so we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously. Our Group’s environmental communication and action brand, known as ‘The 4R Plan’, focuses on delivering continual improvements through reducing impact, reusing resources, recycling materials and adopting recovery principles.
Supply ChainCommitment to food waste education programme
Samworth Brothers has joined the pioneering Luminary Programme, a first-of-its-kind educational scheme organised by the UK's leading surplus food distributor, The Company Shop. Aimed at industry leaders, the scheme seeks to deliver a step change in how to manage surplus and reduce unnecessary waste.
The programme combines toolkits and activities with mentoring, and gives participants the skills and confidence they need to be the driving force for change within their own organisation.
Deborah Carlin, Head of Responsible Business for Samworth Brothers, said: “When The Company Shop approached us, there was an instant alignment with our own commitments. Undertaking the Luminary Programme will empower our colleagues to develop long-lasting and cultural change around food surplus.”
Our commitment to the UK Plastics Pact
Samworth Brothers is fully committed to the UK Plastics Pact, launched in 2018 by the sustainability experts WRAP (Waste and Resource Action Programme). We’re proud to be one of the first chilled food manufacturers to have signed up to the commitment.
The UK Plastics Pact is a trailblazing, collaborative initiative which aims to create a circular economy for plastics and ensure that plastics won’t end up in the environment. Here are some examples of how our businesses are taking action to reduce packaging or to increase the amount that is recyclable.
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Combined Heat and Power technology at the Cornwall Bakery
Since 1 January 2020, the Cornwall Bakery has been predominantly powered by a CHP system, resulting in a 9% reduction in energy use and a 12% reduction in CO2 emissions.
What is CHP?
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is an energy-efficient technology that generates electricity. It captures the heat that would otherwise be a waste product to provide hot water and steam that can be used for hot water, heating, cooking and cleaning.
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Tesco 10x20x30
Launched in September 2020, the ground-breaking 10x20x30 initiative brings together 10 of the world's largest food retailers and providers, who have each committed to engage at least 20 suppliers in an effort to halve food loss and waste by 2030.
Tesco is one of the leading retailers behind 10x20x30 and, as one of its key suppliers, Samworth Brothers has pledged our commitment to cutting food waste in half by the target date of 2030.
So how are we doing so far? In 2021, we are reporting a food waste intensity of 4.5%. This represents a 12% reduction on our 2019 data. (We reported 5.1% intensity in 2020). Our food waste intensity figure represents our food waste as a percentage of the total food we handle.
Samworth Brothers Supply Chain trials LNG vehicles
In September 2021, Samworth Brothers Supply Chain (SBSC) will add six new vehicles to its fleet that will run on liquefied natural gas (LNG).
What is LNG?
LNG is supercooled and compressed natural gas that is 20% more carbon efficient than diesel.
As well as having lower carbon emissions, LNG vehicles are also much more cost effective to run. Although more expensive to buy, they save considerably on fuel bills. For example, over the four year life of an SBSC lorry, we will reduce our fuel costs by 36% by switching from diesel to LNG.
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Redistribution of surplus food
Since our purpose as a Group is to “do good things with great food”, we want to be a long-term force for good. That’s why, a few years ago, we teamed up with the Company Shop Group, the UK's leading redistributor of food and household surplus products.
This alliance gives us a sustainable route to redistribute our surplus food. And, through membership to its network of stores, we’re able to provide our colleagues with access to discounted products. Our partnership also extends to supporting disadvantaged local communities through food donations and tackling food poverty through collaborative work with local authorities.
