Greggs launches sustainability plan

Greggs has launched its first full sustainability plan, which will see it introduce healthier food items, cut food waste and source more sustainably by 2025.

Within its ‘Greggs Pledge’, the business has made ten concrete commitments to nutrition, the environment and improving its diversity, which it hopes to achieve over the next four years.

Developed from feedback from internal and external stakeholders, and aligned with the ambitions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the commitments include supporting 1,000 school breakfast clubs and providing 70,000 free school meals, creating 25% less food waste in 2025 compared to 2018, and providing 100% of its surplus food to those in most need.

The business will also look to establish 50 outlet shops to provide affordable food in areas of social deprivation, with a share of profits given to local community organisations, and ensure 30% of its menu items are ‘healthier choices’ going forward.

Other commitments include working towards carbon neutrality, with 25% of stores featuring ‘eco-shop’ elements and using 25% less packaging in 2025 than in 2019.

It will also look to increase diversity in its workforce, set sustainable sourcing targets and maintain Tier 1 in the BBFAW Animal Welfare standard.

“As a modern business it is our duty to stand for more than just profit, and our history shows that we are doing exactly that,” said CEO Roger Whiteside. “We have a proud reputation of giving back to our people, suppliers and communities, and we know that more can be done to change the world for the better.

“The Greggs Pledge sets out our commitments as we continue giving back to the communities that support us and take less from the environment that we all rely on. We look forward to reporting on our progress.”