The WhiteWave Foods Co., Denver, Colo., unveiled new sustainability commitments and 2025 environmental targets, fulfilling its 2016 commitment to source 100% of the cocoa powder used to produce its North American brands, expand its 100% sustainable cocoa commitment to its European Alpro brand and pledge to reduce sugar in Alpro products by 12.5% by 2020.
“At WhiteWave, we aim to produce great-tasting food in a way that’s better for people, our communities and our planet,” says Gregg Engles, chairman and CEO. “To achieve this goal, we are constantly seeking new ways to deliver the transparency, choice and responsible practices people are looking for today.”
Since WhiteWave first began tracking its environmental impact in 2006, the company has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 32% per pound of product. Over the past two years, WhiteWave has reduced water use by 6% per pound of product, and waste to landfill resource intensity by 52%. By 2025, WhiteWave will further reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste-to-landfill per pound of product by 20% from a 2013 baseline.
Key takeaways in sustainable sourcing:
- Met its 2016 goal to source 100% certified sustainable cocoa powder used to produce Silk, So Delicious, Vega, Horizonand International Delight products.
- The Alpro brand committed to sourcing 100% of its cocoa powder from sustainable sources by the end of 2017.
- Sources 100%t certified sustainable palm oil for its liquid creamer products. By 2020, WhiteWave’s certified sustainable palm oil supply will comply with Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) NEXT criteria, a set of advanced sustainability criteria to further prevent deforestation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve human rights conditions associated with palm oil production.
Key takeaways in waste reduction:
- In 2015,WhiteWave diverted 78% of its waste from landfills through recycling, composting and reuse efforts.
- In 2014-2015, Earthbound Farm recycled nearly 9,300 tons of food waste, including 98% of all lettuce culls.
- WhiteWave’s partnership with the Carton Council, Denton, Texas, helped increase carton recycling access to 58% of households nationwide.
Key takeaways in water use:
- In 2015, WhiteWave balanced 45% of its global manufacturing water use through a partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Portland, Ore., to restore critically dewatered rivers and water systems across the United States. Since 2009, WhiteWave’s water efforts have replenished more than 1.9 billion gallons of water.
