Lindt & Sprüngli releases latest sustainability report with key packaging recycling goals
The Lindt Shop in the Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg Switzerland (Lindt & Sprüngli)
Swiss-founded Lindt & Sprüngli has released its eleventh Sustainability Report, unveiling key goals including making its entire packaging range recyclable by 2025, writes Neill Barston.
As the premium chocolate brand noted, its latest report charts its progress against core targets, and acknowledges that despite a difficult year, the company believed it had made notable environmental progress.
The company’s sustainability plan has centred on its responsibility within the cocoa bean supply chain through its dedicated Farming Program. This has achieved the core milestone of 100% of its beans are now traceable and verified – a considerable step towards sustainable production of its chocolate products.
Significantly, the business added that in 2020, it also reached milestones in the areas of water consumption and reduction of CO2 emissions. Within its manufacturing operations, compared to 2015, the company achieved a more than 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as well as a 22% decrease in municipal water consumption.
Furthermore, the firm unveiled new commitments in its latest sustainability report. This includes exploring the and type of packaging used, its sourcing and a focus on reducing environmental footprints. The packaging process is also another significant area of its environmental targets.
According to the company, in addition to making all packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025, it is also targeting elimination of 100% of non-recyclable plastic and reducing total virgin plastic use by 20%. By that date, it is also aiming to source 100% of its pulp and paper-based packaging from a certified sustainable supply chain, and make at least 50% of all our packaging from recycled materials.
As a further strategy, the business said it intends to define a ‘Science-Based Target’ (SBT) by 2023, with a long-term goal to reach net-zero emissions to deliver on these targets, in line with the UN Paris Agreement. This will require the company to accurately account for our emissions and have processes in place to drive and verify its emissions reductions.
Writing in the foreword to the report, CEO Dr Dieter Weisskopf (above) and chief financial officer (CFO) Martin Hug, said: “The global pandemic has presented immense challenges not only for our company, but for society as a whole. Lindt & Sprüngli has been strongly affected by the restrictions and regulations introduced to contain Covid-19. Our focus has been on implementing comprehensive measures to protect our employees, consumers, business partners, suppliers, and farmers producing our raw materials, as well as to preserve business continuity.
“The past year has clearly shown how closely society, health, the economy, and the environment are interlinked and how quickly everything can get out of balance. For us, economic success, environmental protection, and social responsibility go hand in hand.
“Respect for and responsibility towards our stakeholders and the environment shape our day-to-day actions. Assuming responsibility is no easy task, but as a company we try to contribute every day. We strive to be guided by fairness, transparency, and sustainability in our actions.” The full report can be viewed here.
