The company is on-track for its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2025, with its sights set on achieving net zero by 2035. The targets form part of Creed’s commitment to set braver, more challenging goals that really deliver tangible change quickly. Overall the foodservice provider’s emissions have reduced by 35% from 2019 to 2022.
Philip Creed, Creed’s sustainability director, commented: “We knew these targets that we set along with the help of ClimatePartner would be a huge challenge for us, but as a team we are rising to meet them. The concerted commitment to making changes in our day-to-day operations by staff across the board has been incredible. It really is a case of every little helping.
“We’ve seen real empowerment amongst employees in all areas of the business and have been bowled over by just how driven everyone is to achieving these goals together. We’ve still got a long way to go to achieve net zero, but are tracking well against our targets so far. It’s exciting to think where we might be in a year’s time.
“For vehicle emissions, the speed at which we have been able to make changes is limited by the technology that’s available, so more so than ever we’re looking for innovation in this area to keep pace with the demand for change.”
Green energy and fleet emissions
As part of the changes being made across the business, throughout 2022 Creed invested over £750,000 installing over 2,500 solar panels at four of its five sites. It’s been estimated that these panels will reduce energy consumption by 30%, as well as producing in the region of 900,000Kwhs/210TCo2 annually, feeding any excess back into the grid.
With an aim to reduce fleet emissions by 7.5% as a % of turnover, the company has also been trialling various electric lorries and investigating synthetic fuels for its nationwide delivery fleet. Surpassing its goal, Creed achieved in excess of double its target, with an overall reduction of 16.9%.
With its sights set on further reducing the amount of fossil fuel used, it has committed to all new company cars being electric or hybrid, with an aim to be fully electric by 2027, as well as promoting initiatives like car sharing and improving its provision for cycle storage.
A preference for environmentally aware suppliers
Creed is making a point of giving preference to suppliers who also ensure minimising environmental impact is at the heart of what they do, with a review of sustainable policies and values being a key part of the procurement process.
In addition to this, the wholesaler is working towards removing all black plastic from its product range, with its sights set on eliminating these materials entirely as soon as possible. In particular, many own-brand lines have seen material changes – from the removal of black lids on certain items, to key changes in packaging being used in the in-house butchery and fresh produce stores.
Cutting down waste
Creed continues to implement a number of key processes across the business to ensure it maintains a landfill-free status, with waste being collected and used for energy, or recycled. Staff are encouraged to suggest changes to processes and systems on a regular basis through a suggestions box, with an aim to reduce energy and physical materials use. Recently, a change to the invoicing process, suggested by a member of staff, has saved a significant amount of paper being used unnecessarily each year.
Creed’s relationship with Too Good to Go connects the public with short-dated stock, as well as supports charity partners, with the foodservice provider further exploring what this relationship will look like for the coming year.
People, planet, product
At the heart of this raft of changes is Creed’s ‘Believe in More for Tomorrow’ policy, with pillars covering People, Planet and Product. Working with its customers and suppliers to always look for the most environmentally and socially responsible options which reduce impact on the environment.
To find out more visit Creed’s website: www.creedfoodservice.co.uk