Greggs has said its responsible sourcing policies are “ahead of schedule” as over 97% of electricity and 30% gas used across its operations came from renewable sources.
The bakery chain published the fourth edition of its annual sustainability report – The Greggs Pledge – highlighting the progress the company has made towards its 2025 sustainability targets.
The pledge lays down ten commitments to doing good, including a bid to help make the planet more eco-friendly.
Greggs CEO Roisin Currie said: “We have significantly exceeded our target to make 30% of our products a healthier choice; and our responsible sourcing policies are firmly established ahead of schedule.
“It’s important we continue to look ahead and expand upon our goals beyond 2025. We will focus on what is material to our business in the years ahead, including our responsibility in promoting regenerative and sustainable agriculture.
“We acknowledge the pressing global issue of biodiversity loss and our suppliers and farmers play pivotal roles in addressing this challenge. Greggs is dedicated to supporting them in making a meaningful impact and driving positive change.”
Subscribe to Sustainability Beat for free
Sign up here to get the latest sustainability news sent straight to your inbox everyday
During 2023, Greggs said it had reduced the amount of food waste it creates in its manufacturing operations by a further 10% and increased food redistribution to 41.9%.
Its 2025 target is to create 25% less food waste than in 2018 and continue to work towards 100% of surplus food going to those most in need.
It said that last year, 97% of the electricity and 30% of the gas used across its operations came from renewable sources, as it makes progress in its aim of using 100% renewable energy across all of operations by the end of 2025.
Greggs said that over 500 of its shops (21%) feature eco-shopping elements, with a 2025 goal of 25% of its shops featuring eco-shop elements.
On packaging, it said 87% of its own-brand packaging can be more easily recycled while it also highlighted that in 2023 it had completed the mapping of soy in animal feed to determine sustainability status.
A further highlight in 2023 was improved animal welfare standards, an example of which were all pigs being free from sow stalls.
Last month, the company said its 2040 net zero target was “fully embedded” into its business processes, as it updated the market on its sustainability efforts.
But a recent survey ranked Greggs, along with KFC, bottom of a table of the UK’s most sustainable restaurant chains.
