Délifrance on track to reach sustainable packaging goal by 2025

26-Mar-2021 - Last updated on 26-Mar-2021 at 10:45 GMT

Délifrance’s core range. Pic: Délifrance

The bakery supplier said it is well on its way to reach its target to reduce, recycle and reuse all its packaging – using 100% recyclable materials – by the end of 2025.

According to Stéphanie Brillouet, marketing director for Northern Europe and North America at Délifrance, the specialist in frozen bakery, viennoiserie, pastry and savoury products for foodservice providers, retailers and bakers around the world has been working behind the scenes for some time to set out a robust roadmap that drives eco-change within the business.

She noted that 98% of the company’s packaging is already recyclable, while 83% is based on recycled materials.

“We are on track to meet our 2025 goal as we increase the use of recycled plastics as food safety and hygiene allows,” added Brillouet.

Délifrance’s sustainability roadmap is underpinned by three key pillars:

To reduce the weight of each packaging component and the number of components in their packaging system. This includes adapting product and packaging sizes to reduce the impact of transport.
To improve the recyclability of its packaging, including plastic colour, type and material combination. The company also pledges to actively switch from plastic to cardboard or paper-based material.
To foster the use of recycled materials and increase reusable packaging within the Délifrance supply chain.

'At the heart of our sustainability vision'

“We know how much of a challenge packaging sustainability is for the food industry. We are also mindful of changing consumer expectations,” said Brillouet.

“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.”

Délifrance’s packaging strategy is supported by its wider business commitment to greener practices, which includes the Go Clean pledge to deliver simpler recipes with more sustainable ingredients, and the No Waste All Taste initiative, designed to support customers in upcycling bakery products to limit food waste.