2 Sisters has pledged to make 90% of all of the plastic components in its branded products recyclable by 2020, as well as 90% of the packaging it uses.
The firm also plans to work in collaboration with retailers and suppliers to develop closed loop solutions to increase packaging recycling. To achieve this, 2 Sisters said it would constantly review targets in line with developing waste reduction technologies.
2 Sisters also plans to phase out its use of non-recyclable bottles and cups at all of its 36 sites in the UK by the end of this year, installing recycling points for use by its 23,000 employees.
Environmental impact
Ranjit Boparan, president of 2 Sisters owner Boparan Holdings, said that the environmental impact of plastic packaging must be addressed by the whole food system.
“We need a culture change to make the biggest difference – both in the way we use plastics for our products and how we use plastics in our everyday lives,” he said.
“So we’re totally committed to putting in place some stretching targets I know my teams in the business are eager to achieve in the next 20 months.”
The new measures will be in addition to the company’s already existing sustainability plan, Feeding Our Future, which has looked to reducing and improving recyclability of plastic packaging since 2015.
‘Collaboration and innovation’
“This is a complex issue that requires the involvement, collaboration and innovation of all parties involved in the production, distribution, retail and consumption of food, and we want to act as the lead partner in this,” added Boparan.
2 Sisters also pledged to report publicly on the progress of its 2018 strategy in 12 months’ time.
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola has unveiled plans to help collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can it sells worldwide by 2030 through its World Without Waste programme.