Sustainable packaging
At Nature's Pride, we are working to only use recyclable or reusable packaging by 2023. We no longer want to use plastic where this is not necessary to extend the shelf life of a product. After all, wasting a product, for example as a result of decay, has a much higher environmental impact than using plastic packaging.
Sustainable packaging policy
At the end of 2018, we developed a sustainable packaging policy in collaboration with LCA Centre. The actions resulting from this policy are already bearing fruit. For example, we have switched from plastic to cardboard trays for many of our products. We have also replaced plastic packing sheets in boxes with paper ones. Thanks to these measures, we can avoid a whopping 40 rubbish lorries of plastic every year. In addition, we have phased out black plastic, because it cannot be properly recycled in the Dutch waste sorting installations.
Read more about our packaging policy below.
Disposal guide
Proper disposal of packaging allows for materials to be recycled. Because our products are sent to different countries in Europe, unfortunately, in most cases, the packaging cannot be handled with, for example, the Dutch waste disposal guide. We do, however, state the type of packaging material we use on the packaging.
We also refer to the waste disposal guide for the packaging of our main products on our (consumer) website. The most important recycling websites are also shown here for our 10 main sales countries.
Reducing CO2 Emissions
CO2 is released during the production and transportation of fruit and vegetables. By 2030 Nature's Pride wants to reduce these emissions by one-third. In collaboration with Blonk Consultants, we performed a baseline measurement in 2018 for the CO2 emissions of our 24 most important products. Based on this measurement, we have drawn up measures in the areas of transportation, energy, mobility and waste. A few examples:
- With Apeel technology, we extend the shelf life of products. In this way, we can eventually transport products by water instead of by air.
- Thanks to a new supply and demand tool, our buyers and sellers are increasing their grip on the supply and demand of avocados and mangoes, our most important products. This results in fewer unsold products.
- Within our sustainability policy, we choose more recyclable packaging and less plastic.
- We are actively working on a fleet of electric vehicles.
- The use of LED lighting in all our premises consumes much less energy.
On the 12th of November 2020, our CO2 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets were approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). This made us the first trading company in the fruits and vegetables sector worldwide to have our targets validated and approved. By doing this we show that our climate goal is in line with the level of decarbonization required to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and that we are taking the appropriate measures to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. The Science Based Targets Initiative is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact (UN Global Compact), World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). You can find more information on the website of Science Based Targets.
Water is a priority
Water is the source of life. In addition to being essential for drinking water and hygiene, water is indispensable to make our everyday items ranging from our clothes to cell phones, to –most essentially– our food. Like any living organism, fruits and vegetables need water to grow. Nature's Pride and its growers are at the forefront of responsible water use.
In a world of increasing water stress, we are developing a value chain strategy that supports responsible water use on the ground, for the well-being of communities, the environment, and the business we share with our dedicated growers, clients, and consumers.
Our water strategy has multiple levels and includes: training of our buyers, saving water through improved technology, doing water audits, sector advocacy, projects to improve access to water and hygiene for communities, and water stewardship through collective action.
Read more about it in our Water Policy or in our Water Stewardship Journey.
