Hames Chocolates powers >50% of electricity with new solar panels

Hames Chocolates’ new solar panels are set to provide more than half of the business’ electricity, reducing its carbon levels drastically. According to the company, this will be equivalent to planting 1,200 trees a year.

The private label supplier is among a raft of other businesses who have all made the green switch, including LWC Drinks​​ and OFI​ ​earlier this year; with this latest announcement coming not long after the close of the Energy Bill Discount Scheme​​ last month (March 2024).

The instalment of solar panels at Hames follows previous work the business has undertaken as part of its environmental commitment. This includes collaborations with the Rainforest Alliance and Cocoa Horizons to make sure its cocoa comes from ‘ethical and more sustainable resources’.

Commenting, managing director of Hames Chocolate, Carol Oldbury said the work with these two partners helps to protect cocoa-growing communities, as well as the planet when purchasing its cocoa, with the added benefit of not compromising on quality.

“We pay an additional premium for our cocoa based products to enable the certification programmes fund schemes to increase cocoa farmer productivity, improve their community and protect the environment,”​ she noted.

The company said it has also taken recent steps to remove as much plastic as possible from its packaging.

“This includes using FSC-certified wood for our lollipop sticks and hot chocolate spoons, as well as recyclable foil and cardboard for our chocolate and Easter egg packaging,”​ Oldbury continued.

The move towards more recyclable wrapping for Easter is trend we’re likely to see continue well into the next few years, with Brits complaining their festive treats use too much packaging.​​

In other news, JF Renshaw has unveiled new branding following its acquisition.​​