2Sustain

Over the past few years, companies have been transitioning to sustainable sources of palm oil.

Now, Unilever is helping lead the way for the same sort of responsible sourcing for soy.

Last week, Unilever, a founding member of the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS), bought some of the first available certificates for sustainable soy. This follows the recent introduction of the RTRS certification scheme.

Established in 2006, the RTRS is a multi-stakeholder initiative which aims to facilitate a global dialogue on soy production that is economically viable, socially equitable and environmentally sound. RTRS members are working to ensure that: (more…)

PepsiCo now offers five options of eco-friendly, recyclable and compostable cups to its Foodservice customers in the US.

These new cup options include:

• fully recyclable clear plastic cups (one alternative is a rPET cup containing 20 percent post-consumer recycled content)

• compostable paper cups and wax cups made with plant-based materials sourced from sustainably managed forests

According to PepsiCo, the fountain cup portfolio mix empowers Foodservice customers –such as restaurants, stadiums and theme parks, and colleges and universities –to select the right green cup options based on locally available recycling and composting disposal facilities.

PepsiCo also sees the eco-friendly cups as a way to connect with consumers –particularly college and university students –who are increasingly interested in sustainable packaging options.

“The new cups are an advancement in technology, but also in the way we communicate,” said Margery Schelling, CMO PepsiCo Foodservice. “Customers increasingly are asking for environmental products that match changing needs, expectations and lifestyles. We want consumers to enjoy their favorite fountain beverages and feel good about the environmental impact of their purchases.”

In a press release, PepsiCo points out that the roll out of eco-friendly cups is aligned with the company’s global environmental goals and commitments, which include initiatives to reduce packaging waste, use rPET and renewable sources in packaging and increase the national beverage container recycling rate. Specific examples of PepsiCo innovations with respect to beverage packaging include: (more…)

After forging new partnerships with recyclers and mastering what the company calls “diligent efforts” at each of its facilities, Kellogg Company has already exceeded its aggressive 2015 goal for reducing waste sent to landfill.

More specifically, Kellogg reported a few weeks ago that nearly half of its facilities worldwide send 5 percent or less of the waste they generate to landfill, and that overall, the company has reduced its waste sent to landfill by 51 percent since 2005.

The highlights of Kellogg’s impressive waste reduction efforts are included in the company’s third global Corporate Responsibility Report, released last month on Earth Day. The report also includes updates on other key corporate responsibility initiatives in the environment, marketplace, workplace and community.

With regard to environmental stewardship, Kellogg has: (more…)

Kraft Foods is expanding its sustainability goals.

The new goals build upon previous commitments to energy, carbon dioxide, water, waste and packaging reductions and then go a step further to add measurement of transportation and agricultural commodities.

Here’s what Kraft Foods is planning to accomplish by the end of 2015:

• Increase sustainable sourcing(2) of agricultural commodities by 25 percent
• Reduce energy use in manufacturing plants by 15 percent
• Reduce energy-related CO2 emissions in manufacturing plants by 15 percent
• Reduce water consumption in manufacturing plants by 15 percent
• Reduce waste at manufacturing plants by 15 percent
• Eliminate 50,000 metric tons (100 million lbs.)of packaging material
• Reduce 80 million km (50 million miles) from transportation network
• Sustainably source 100 percent of the coffee for the company’s European coffee brands

(These new goals now include Cadbury and LU businesses acquired since 2007.)

It’s worth noting that Kraft Foods has already made some significant reductions. From 2005 through 2010, the company has reduced: (more…)

Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer, has announced significant improvements to its seafood buying practices and standards.

Working in partnership with WWF, Kroger says by 2015, it wants to source 100 percent of its top 20 wild-caught species from sources that are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), in full assessment, or involved in a Fishery Improvement Project with WWF.

In addition, Kroger will:

(more…)