Lidl Ireland has become a verified member of the Irish food board’s Origin Green sustainability programme, adopting a range of new environmental targets across its operations.
Bord Bia’s initiative was set up in 2012 to increase sustainability efforts across the Irish food and drink industry, from farm level through manufacturing operations and was recently extended to the retail sector.
By becoming a member, Lidl Ireland has committed to a comprehensive development plan that sets out 24 clear targets in key areas such as waste emissions, energy, water, social sustainability and a range of others.
This includes plans to build and retrofit new stores with energy efficient equipment and technology. It is also aiming to achieve ISO 50001 energy efficiency certification for all Lidl Ireland regional distribution centres and head office in 2017 having already achieved this across all of its stores.
Other plans include zero waste diverted to landfill by 2017; a 10% reduction in overall waste and 15% in water consumption by 2020; and to have 50% of employees taking part in health and wellbeing initiatives in the same period.
John Paul Scally, managing director for Lidl Ireland, said: “Our verification with Bord Bia’s Origin Green Programme demonstrates our ongoing commitment to sustainability.
“Whilst resource efficiency has always been an integral part of our business model we are aware of the increasing importance of sustainability in the production of food and drink and are committed to further embedding these standards widely across the business.”
Part of the commitment will also see Lidl Ireland promote sustainability down its supply chain, made up of 200 Irish suppliers. These firms currently export to Lidl stores in 18 other countries and Lidl Ireland is committed to expanding the export of sustainable Irish produce to its full supply base of 26 countries across Europe.
Tara McCarthy, chief executive of Bord Bia, commented: “This commitment of Lidl to sustainability and its choice of the Origin Green programme to help it frame targets and deliver independently verified results will, I’m certain [will] encourage others to take the same step and join us on our journey to manage our impact on the environment for the benefit of this and future generations.”
