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Sustainability

Sustainability

Sustainability affects business resilience, reputation, finances and relationships. To help you understand the strategic importance of sustainability we’ve created a one-stop-shop information resource to assist you in rising to the challenges.

Our latest insight

Latest article:
Trust, Transparency and Technology

Trust, Transparency and Technology

Consumer trust is arguably the single most important asset to the whole food supply chain. This article gives examples of how manufacturers and retailers are using technology to create transparency throughout the supply chain.

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IGD Food Industry Awards 2012 winner

The co-operative

At the 2012 Food Industry Awards, The Co-operative Group won the Tetra Pak Environmental Sustainability Award for being at the cutting edge of a critical issue to help improve our natural environment. The IGD Industry Awards 2013 are FREE to enter and there's something for everyone. For more information about the Awards please click here.

Read the case study on the Award winner here

Booker - Customer Packaging Recycling Service

Booker - Customer Packaging Recycling Service

In 2010, Booker decided that it needed to broaden its sustainability focus to drive improved environmental outcomes for its customers as well as for itself. Having identified a potential need from its...

Arla Foods - Zero waste to landfill

Arla Foods - Zero waste to landfill

At the top of Arla Food's list was to reduce the two million tonnes of waste they were sending to landfill every year to zero by 2012 through an all-encompassing programme of recycling and recovery....

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Five examples of how sustainability brings commercial advantages

Five examples of how sustainability brings commercial advantages

Understand how sustainability initiatives could yield huge commercial benefits for your business with these five examples of manufacturers and retailers that are already realising its competitive potential.

Download your free copy here

Fast Facts

Need to know what the food & grocery industry is doing to become more sustainable? We have compiled a list of top line information on industry’s impacts, its targets and achievements.

Glossary

Confused about sustainability terminology? Our handy glossary contains abbreviations, terms and clear definitions on a range of sustainability and CSR topics.

Industry CSR reports

Download CSR reports from a range of food & grocery industry companies including Tesco, Sainsbury's, P&G and Unilever.

In this section

  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

    From reducing environmental impact, to investing in communities, different companies interpret CSR in many ways. One thing they all have in common is recognising the need to act responsibly.

  • Greenhouse gases

    In competitive markets the most forward-looking businesses are using cutting greenhouse gas emissions to give them the edge. We look at how it's more than just acting responsibly.

  • Energy

    Our experts keep track of the latest trends and developments in energy efficiency from around the world. Discover the environmental and financial benefits through our case study resource.

  • Water

    Water is a precious resource, and many companies in the food and consumer goods industry are focusing more on the most water-efficient techniques. Our experts share the latest developments and best practice.

  • Packaging & waste

    Food waste is often in the headlines and packaging is under constant scrutiny. Our team of experts keep track of the latest trends and developments in product and packaging.

  • Ethical & social issues

    Leading companies are balancing the three dimensions of sustainability: economic, environmental, and social. We look at how companies are differentiating themselves on ethical and social issues.

  • Distribution

    The industry took 204m HGV miles out of the supply chain by, for example, sharing lorries and improving load fill. We share some tools and best practice with the world.

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Sustainability Newsletter

Sign up to our free Sustainability Newsletter which gives you a summary of IGD's activities in the area of sustainability. It provides commentary and links to relevant key pieces of information for the food and grocery industry.

Sign up here

IGD’s Industry Awards 2013 is a fantastic chance to showcase the outstanding contributions by individuals and organisations in our world class industry. If you think you are one of our industry’s bright sparks because you or your company have made an outstanding contribution over the last year, then you should enter to get the recognition you deserve.

The Awards are free to enter for all companies – whether you are small, medium or large.

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Sustainability in the food and grocery industry

Sustainability in the food and grocery industry - one-day workshop

Develop your understanding of sustainability within the food and grocery industry with our practical one-day workshop.

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Sustainability reports library

We've brought together a sample of publicly available documents on sustainability that are of relevance to the food and grocery supply chain.

Download them now
Environmental Sustainability Matrix

Environmental Sustainability Matrix

A free interactive PDF for the food and grocery industry to understand the interconnectivity of sustainability issues within the supply chain. 

Download now

Industry Sustainability Group

IGD's Industry Sustainability Group (ISG) was established in 2009 and looks at the development of insight and good practice on sustainability issues.

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