The environment and the planet’s resources are the basis of our success as a food company. We want to reduce the negative impact of our business activities on the environment and the climate. Therefore, we want to reconcile our activities with the planet’s limited resources in order to ensure our success in the long term. That is why we want to be climate-neutral in our own business by 2040 and strengthen the circular economy with our packaging.
We use the carbon footprint to identify the biggest CO2 drivers and, at the same time, the greatest levers for reducing emissions. We will continuously reduce our emissions through tailored action plans. Primarily through the use of green electricity, we have already achieved a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of over 6% compared to 2020, despite growth in the KRÜGER GROUP. As a result, total emissions fell to 99,800 metric tons of CO2 equivalents.
The energy transition within the KRÜGER GROUP is multidimensional: we are reducing energy use, trying to generate more climate-friendly energy ourselves, and switching to climate-friendly sources for purchased energy.
We aim to convert all sites to green electricity by 2025. Since 2021, we have been sourcing green energy for half of our German production sites. Compared to 2020, this has already enabled us to achieve emissions savings of over 10,000 metric tons of CO2e. At the remaining sites in Germany and abroad, we are currently examining the options for switching to green electricity.
An increase in the recyclability of packaging is needed to improve the recycling rate. That is why we are working to replace non-recyclable materials with alternatives, including the use of sustainably sourced raw materials and a reduction in materials.
When developing new products, we make sure to use sustainably sourced packaging and ensure maximum food safety, for example with Honest Bean, our new brand of sustainable organic drinking chocolate. Honest Bean beverage powders are packaged in Boardio® cans.
Although these offer a good number of benefits from a sustainability perspective, they are not yet a perfect solution. Compared to other packaging, one benefit is that the cans are delivered flat and are assembled on site at our plant, which saves a lot of truck traffic and thus CO2. In addition, they consist of up to 91% FSC®-certified cardboard, a renewable raw material. Recyclable layers of plastic and aluminum serve as protective barriers. These protect the powders from spoilage and clumping.
Recycling is good, avoidance is even better – because in addition to the energy input from recycling, hidden environmental impacts are also relevant, for example the truck transport of beverage bottles. Water carbonators are a smart solution.
