-new packaging policy leads new initiatives-

Brakes has announced further developments to its market-leading CSR programme, with the introduction of a new, comprehensive packaging policy and the completion of a roll out of new energy efficient lighting aimed at minimising the company’s impact on the environment.

The introduction of the new packaging policy builds on the successful completion of Brakes’ 2ZERO20 black plastics commitment which removed hard-to-recycle black plastics, equating to more than a thousand tonnes, from its supply chain. It also follows hot on the heels of Brakes’ latest CSR Award, where, for the 8^th year in succession, Brakes and Sysco specialty business, M&J Seafood were awarded the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) Foodservice Wholesaler of the Year.

In October, the business completed a roll out of new LED lighting across its UK-wide network of depots which will save around 500 tonnes of carbon, the equivalent of driving a lorry around the world 14 times.  Brakes is now focusing on advanced plans to introduce its own sources of alternative energy, which it hopes to launch shortly.

The creation of the new packaging policy sees Brakes reinforce its commitment to ensuring that suppliers maximise the use of materials that are recyclable, reusable or compostable where appropriate, underpinning Brakes’ CSR requirements. They also cover the minimisation of waste, reduction of carbon to produce and transport packaging and minimisation of the use of resources throughout the production process.

Stuart Smith, the Brakes’ Director responsible for CSR, said: “As a business, we have a responsibility to take a lead on CSR. As the UK leader in foodservice wholesale, and as part of Sysco, the global foodservice leader, it’s the right thing to do, but is also increasingly what our customers and consumers want and expect of us.

“We’ve made it our mission to put CSR at the heart of our business across our focus areas of people, product and planet.  We want to support all the communities in which we operate, reduce our impact on the environment and ensure that we take the right steps as a business to support our customers’ own CSR programmes.”