“2050 isn’t soon enough”: Sainsbury’s sets aside £1 billion to achieve Net Zero by 2040

29 Jan 2020 --- Sainsbury’s has committed to investing £1 billion (US$1.3 billion) in becoming a Net Zero business across its operations by 2040. The UK retailer will invest in reducing plastic packaging, alongside carbon emissions, food waste and water usage, as well as increasing recycling, biodiversity and healthy and sustainable eating. Sainsbury’s will also work collaboratively with suppliers in line with their own carbon reduction commitments. This move aligns with the Paris Climate Change Agreement’s ambition to limit global warming to 1.5°C and aims to better the UK Government’s own target of 2050. 

“We have a duty to the communities we serve to continue to reduce the impact our business has on the environment. We are committing to reduce our own carbon emissions and become Net Zero by 2040, ten years ahead of the government’s own targets, because 2050 isn’t soon enough,” says Mike Coupe, CEO of Sainsbury’s.

The retailer notes that it will work with the Carbon Trust to assess emissions and set science-based targets for reduction, publicly reporting on progress every six months.

Reducing plastic by 2025 and beyond
The supermarket plans to achieve its previously set goal to halve plastic packaging by 2025 – and then “go further.” The retailer has already removed thousands of metric tons of single-use plastic across its business in 2019, with 412 metric tons of fresh food plastic trays, 290 million loose produce plastic bags and 20 million polystyrene pizza bases removed. It also replaced 1,200 metric tons of own brand polyvinyl chloride (PVC) packaging – the world’s third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer – with recyclable alternatives.

By the end of 2020, the company aims to replace dark colored, hard to recycle plastic and polystyrene packaging from own brand ranges with recyclable alternatives. Where possible, plastic film on fruit and vegetables will be replaced or removed. For the spring/summer season this year, the company will swap out its Sainsbury’s Home Cookshop transit packaging for paper, removing 662 metric tons of plastic. 

Recycling revamped
Sainsbury’s plans to increase the use of recycling in its own operations and make it easier for customers and colleagues to recycle. To do so, it has improved its recycling systemsby piloting Deposit Return Schemes in five stores for customers to recycle their plastic bottles. As a monetary incentive, each item recycled translates to a £0,05 (US$0,06) coupon toward their shopping. 

Sainsbury’s provides facilities to help customers recycle metal cans, glass, plastic, paper and other materials in 275 stores nationwide as well as repurposing 5,000 metric tons of clothing annually through its donation banks in 340 stores and parking lots. 

Scaling previous efforts 
Following intense scrutiny from Greenpeace, Sainsbury’s has said it will work with the NGO on its plastic sustainability commitments. 

Now, Coupe highlights that Sainsbury’s has reduced carbon emissions by 35 percent over the past 15 years despite the footprint of its business increasing by over 40 percent. “We invested £260 million (US$338 million) in over 3,000 initiatives over the last decade, including the start of our LED lighting program and refrigeration,” he states.

“We recognize that we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to make the changes needed to help the planet exist sustainably. We hope that we can collaborate across industries and sectors to help create momentum and drive meaningful change,” Coupe concludes.

Edited by Anni Schleicher