Plastic targets on track for Brakes

Hard-to-recycle plastics could soon become a thing of the past at Brakes as the foodservice wholesaler reveals its sustainability progress.

The business pledged to remove all problematic plastics from its supply chain by the end of 2020 as part of several packaging commitments made under its 2ZERO20 commitment– and 96% of the volume has already been removed.

The 2ZERO20 promise included removing all non-recyclable hard plastic from all Brakes own-brand products and working with industry experts to find new innovative plastic solutions to replace non-recyclable hard black plastic material.

With little under a year to go before the end date, 1,041 tonnes have beed removed, with the remaining SKUs predominantly smaller items, such as screw tops.

“When we launched the 2ZERO20 commitment, we were the first foodservice wholesaler to make a pledge to remove black plastic,” said Brakes CEO Hugo Mahoney.

“As you’d expect from the UK’s leading foodservice company, we have a number of initiatives to reduce waste and our environmental impact across our supply chain – and our supplier partners are collaborating to help us achieve our goals.”

Other targets outlined within 2ZERO20 includes introducing a clear labelling system on all future packaging to help customers improve recycling rates, reducing other unnecessary packaging for all our customers and working with suppliers to find alternatives to any problematic materials and unnecessary single-use items.

The labelling plans have been postponed after the government announced its own intentions to tackle the issue, although Brakes is still keen to introduce its own scheme if that comes to nothing.

Brakes has also set up a Packaging Forum to share best practice and discuss potential alternatives, with suppliers and industry organisations attending to find a way around using problematic solutions, while the business has also signed up to the UK Plastics Pact as the first delivered wholesaler to join.

Mahoney added: “We’re very pleased with our progress to date, but we recognise we must go further and continue to lead the industry. We’re therefore committed to working to ensure we create a better tomorrow.”

Brakes Foodservice Government plastic recycling sustainability wholesaler