STORY: Délifrance's bold sustainability pledge

Leading bakery supplier Délifrance has ramped up its sustainability strategy as it pledges to reduce, recycle and reuse using only 100% recyclable packaging by the end of 2025.

Packaging concerns are top of the agenda not only within foodservice and retail but for consumers too. Délifrance recognises the growing need for manufacturers to take action to lead positive change and has set out a roadmap for putting sustainability front and centre of its business objectives.

The ambitious objective is underpinned by three key pillars:

  • Reduce – Reducing the weight of each packaging component and the number of components in their packaging system. Adapting product and packaging sizes to reduce the impact of transport.
  • Recycle – Improve recyclability of Délifrance packaging including plastic colour, type and material combination. Actively switch from plastic to cardboard (or paper-based material).
  • Reuse – Foster the use of recycled materials and increase reusable packaging within the Délifrance supply chain.

Stéphanie Brillouet, marketing director for Northern Europe and North America at Délifrance, said: “We know how much of a challenge packaging sustainability is for the food industry. We are also mindful of changing consumer expectations. While the pandemic saw consumers preference to buy products with packaging for hygiene reasons, there is a grave reluctance to make single-use plastic firm fixture in the longer term. Meeting these expectations and minimising our waste footprint is at the heart of our sustainability vision and the work we’re doing with our customers. The continuous innovation in packaging means we can now offer more practical alternatives.

“We’ve been working behind the scenes for some time to set out a robust roadmap that offers a quality solution for customers as we commit to driving eco-change within the business. And what progress we have made already! 98% of packaging is recyclable and 83% of our packaging is based on recycled materials. Delightfully we are on track to meet our 2025 goal as we increase the use of recycled plastics as food safety and hygiene allows.”

Délifrance’s sustainability approach is enhanced by the wider business commitment to greener practices across the board. It follows the successful roll out of two initiatives; Go Clean is a pledge to delivering simpler recipes with more sustainable ingredients while No Waste All Taste is designed to support customers in upcycling bakery products to limit food waste.  

For more information visit www.delifrance.com/uk