How Kraft Heinz is Unlocking Sustainability Solutions
The multinational food company is continuing to innovate across its operational footprint and value chain to unlock solutions for energy, carbon, water, packaging and waste.
Details of how it is working were part of its ESG report issued by the company. The document reflects Kraft Heinz's commitment to transparency and provides details on its ESG progress.
Tackling its environmental challenges
Kraft Heinz is actively addressing environmental challenges by innovating throughout its operations and supply chain to find solutions for energy, carbon, water, packaging and waste management.
Specifically, the company is focusing on sustainable packaging by collaborating with industry groups to enhance recycling infrastructure and explore alternative materials. In 2022, Kraft Heinz achieved significant milestones
- Renewable Electricity: It secured contracts for renewable electricity in Europe and the US, which are expected to cover about 46% of their manufacturing facility demand over the next two years
- Packaging Innovation: Through a partnership with Pulpex, It developed a paper-based, renewable and recyclable bottle made entirely from sustainably sourced wood pulp. Additionally, it introduced a new sachet design in Europe with 35% recycled material, ready for recycling in future infrastructure
- Waste Reduction: Kraft Heinz attained zero waste-to-landfill status for facilities in Elst, Netherlands, and Pasuruan, Indonesia, bringing the total number of such facilities to 16. It also reduced waste-to-landfill intensity by 18.4% across their manufacturing sites, progressing towards a 20% reduction goal by 2025.
Regarding responsible sourcing, Kraft Heinz is committed to sustainable practices throughout its value chain. In 2022, they achieved milestones such as sourcing 75% of HEINZ ketchup tomatoes sustainably, promoting gender equality in Brazilian logistics by encouraging suppliers to hire more women drivers and educating Egyptian growers on sustainable farming practices to address climate change and enhance health and safety awareness. These efforts reflect Kraft Heinz's dedication to environmental and social responsibility.
The company also announced in March 2024 that it has been selected for award negotiations to receive up to US$170m from the US Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstration to support the implementation of clean energy projects at 10 of the company’s US plants.
“At Kraft Heinz, we’re on a journey to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” said Marcos Eloi Lima, Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer at Kraft Heinz.
“This investment will give us critical resources to make necessary improvements in our plants to help increase their energy efficiency and reduce emissions. This investment recognises our continued efforts to reduce our environmental footprint, and we’re eager to get started.”
A tough journey worth taking
Part of the report included a letter from Miguel Patricio, the now former CEO and Non-Executive Chairman of the Board at Kraft Heinz.
Within this, he highlights efforts the company is undertaking to reduce its environmental impact with its leading products. Such as removing the plastic 'shaker' bag from its Shake ‘N Bake portfolio, eliminating approximately 900,000 pounds of plastic waste annually.
He spoke on a team-up between themselves and UK retail customer Tesco to turn soft plastics returned by shoppers into recyclable Heinz Beanz Snap Pots, saving approximately 22 tons of plastic from landfills.
Plus, working in a US joint venture with tech start up NotCo, Heinz is teaming its iconic brand portfolio and scale with NotCo’s AI-driven innovation.
Janelle Orozco, Chief Procurement Officer (NA) at the Kraft Heinz Company, will speak at Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE New York on 5-6 June 2024
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