United Biscuits has had to set itself new green targets after hitting most of its eco-goals ahead of schedule.
In 2007, the biscuit and cake maker set targets for reducing carbon emissions and energy use, reducing waste to landfill, water use, packaging waste, increasing its use of environmentally friendly transport and increasing sustainable sourcing.
However, while producing its second sustainability report, which has just been published, it realised it had already met many of the targets ahead of schedule.
"After just two years working towards our environmental targets, we are already finding it necessary to raise the bar as we have achieved targets early," said UB chief operating officer Jeff van der Eems.
The company has reduced water usage by 28% since 2007. Its original target was 25% by 2020, so it increased it to a 45% reduction by the same date.
Similarly, it has cut carbon emissions produced by its transport fleet by 29% since 2005, exceeding the 22% reduction it set out to achieve by 2012. It has now raised this to 40% by 2012.
Having achieved its target of zero food waste to landfill last year, it brought forward its non-food target from 2015 to 2012. Last year it reduced non-food waste sent to landfill by 44%.
"UB's appetite for more demanding targets is clear evidence of the business benefits of continuing to drive efficiency of resource use," said Food and Drink Federation director of sustainability Andrew Kuyk.
"Producing more, using less, has to be the key focus for the sector as a whole in order to meet the twin challenges of climate change and food security."
In 2007, the biscuit and cake maker set targets for reducing carbon emissions and energy use, reducing waste to landfill, water use, packaging waste, increasing its use of environmentally friendly transport and increasing sustainable sourcing.
However, while producing its second sustainability report, which has just been published, it realised it had already met many of the targets ahead of schedule.
"After just two years working towards our environmental targets, we are already finding it necessary to raise the bar as we have achieved targets early," said UB chief operating officer Jeff van der Eems.
The company has reduced water usage by 28% since 2007. Its original target was 25% by 2020, so it increased it to a 45% reduction by the same date.
Similarly, it has cut carbon emissions produced by its transport fleet by 29% since 2005, exceeding the 22% reduction it set out to achieve by 2012. It has now raised this to 40% by 2012.
Having achieved its target of zero food waste to landfill last year, it brought forward its non-food target from 2015 to 2012. Last year it reduced non-food waste sent to landfill by 44%.
"UB's appetite for more demanding targets is clear evidence of the business benefits of continuing to drive efficiency of resource use," said Food and Drink Federation director of sustainability Andrew Kuyk.
"Producing more, using less, has to be the key focus for the sector as a whole in order to meet the twin challenges of climate change and food security."
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