SUSTAINABILITY

RENEWING OUR PLANET

We’re stepping up to tread lighter on the planet. From powering our work more responsibly to using precious resources with care and respect – we’re protecting what matters today, to create a better tomorrow.

SUSTAINBILITY PRIORITIES

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

Doing our part to tackle climate change starts with understanding our impact on the environment: our carbon footprint and working to reduce it. We’ve set a goal to lower our carbon emissions intensity by 25% by 2025.

We’re getting there by flipping the switch to cleaner renewable energy and finding ways to be more efficient in how we power our work. Since 2016, we’ve reduced our carbon emissions by 18%.

^[1] Scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2016 baseline.

CONSUMING RESPONSIBLY BY WASTING LESS

We’re on a journey to reduce waste from our plant operations and divert materials from landfills wherever we can. That includes reducing food waste.

So, we’ve set a goal to drive us forward: to cut our food waste in half by 2030 as part of our partnership with the 10x20x30 initiative.

PRESERVING WATER RESOURCES

We want to protect water resources. We are exploring ways to reduce how much water we use – and use it more efficiently.

In environments where water is scarce, we’re developing circular water systems that recycle and reuse water – recapturing water before it goes down the drain. We also partner with local communities to ensure vital water sources are preserved – for the long term.

SOURCING WITH SUSTAINABILITY IN MIND

Food tastes best when ingredients come from the right places. Picked in a way that’s fair to those who grow them and the earth they’re grown on.

We’re committed to 100% sustainable sourcing for palm oil, seafood and paper-based fiber by 2025. And we’ll continue to build a resilient supply chain based on animal welfare and more sustainable practices.

RETHINKING OUR PACKAGING

Consumers around the world are looking for less packaging. And we’re listening.

We’re working to use less material, use more recycled content and increase recyclability. 75% of our plastics packaging in the U.S. and Canada is technically or widely recyclable. And we’re helping take the guesswork out of recycling with labeling such as How2Recycle and On-Pack Recycling Label.

Fighting hunger with food waste solutions.

We believe in harnessing the full value of food – and in helping more by wasting less. It’s why we’re ensuring excess food gets to those who need it most.

In the UK, we’re launching the Seconds Project. Like supermarkets selling boxes of broken cookies or wonky veggies, the Seconds Project offers perfectly imperfect products at a discount. Twice weekly, items are made available cheaper than in-store prices. Unsold products are donated to FareShare, the UK’s network of charitable food redistributors. These donations help fight hunger and reduce waste by distributing food to nearly 9,500 frontline organizations.

Our journey starts with diverting operational waste from landfill. It continues with keeping good food out of the trash. The Seconds Project is one more way we’ll reduce our food footprint as part of the 10X20X30 initiative – contributing to a shared goal to halve food waste by 2030.

Celebrated impact in the US.

We want to create a better tomorrow. It’s why, every day, we’re protecting our environment and showing up for our communities. And our commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed.

The Western New York Sustainable Business Roundtable recently celebrated our progress with a Silver-level award for sustainability efforts, along with its 2021 Community Impact Award.

The Community Impact Award recognized our partnership with Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP), a nonprofit urban farm. MAP is creating multiple waves of change – boosting youth employment and supplying the community with fresh, healthy, affordable and culturally appropriate food.

And during the pandemic, we secured funding for MAP’s Mobile Market Food Access Initiative. Supporting local food security, the initiative served over 1,500 people in need.

Better packaging starts with us.

We’re stepping up to leave a lighter packaging footprint.

It’s a move we’re making because it’s right for the planet and right for our customers. Because we know they share our commitment to transforming packaging for the better.

At Rich’s UK, we’ve worked closely with suppliers to reduce plastic content in pastry trays and films. The expected material reductions are significant – over eight tonnes of plastic. Every year. The same weight as about 41,000 cinnamon rolls.

The trays are made from PET – a grade of plastic widely recycled in the UK – making them 100% recyclable. They also contain 75% recycled content – giving new life to old materials and promoting a circular economy.

Our approach to sustainable packaging is simple: use fewer materials, move to lower-impact options and more recycled content, and strengthen systems to close the loop.

Making the most of every drop.

Water is important to our operations, and we know the responsibility this brings for stewardship. We are committed to partnering to preserve it to meet the needs of our communities, now and far into the future. Globally, we’re developing circular systems for water use – systems that help us recycle and reuse this precious resource.

At Rich’s India, our plant in Pune has moved to a circular water approach. Today, the site produces zero wastewater discharge, recapturing water before it goes down the drain.

Rich’s Colombia is also reducing consumption and increasing efficient water use. This includes enhancing sanitation practices to recapture as much water as possible. And, by collaborating across borders, other facilities globally are taking Colombia’s learnings to inform their own efforts.

A renewable approach to power.

We’re flipping the switch on how we power our facilities. Turning to renewables. Finding more efficient ways to work.

Since 2016, we’ve reduced emissions intensity by 17% and removed over 30,000 tonnes of carbon from the environment. Now, as we move to renewables, we’re finding new and better ways to electrify Rich’s. All to reach our goal to reduce carbon emissions intensity by 25% by 2025.

Across our network – China, Vietnam, India, the UK and the US – we’re harnessing the sun’s power with on-site solar panels. In Brazil, we’re leveraging sustainable hydropower. And in facilities around the world, we have started using wind energy guaranteed by Renewable Energy Certificates.

Change requires clear roadmaps. We’re creating a comprehensive renewable energy strategy and exploring Power Purchase Agreements to continue guiding our journey to lower emissions.