PETERBOROUGH-based fresh produce supplier, Produce World, is paving the way to environmental sustainability, positioning it alongside some of the world’s best-known companies.

Environmental stewardship is one of the four pillars of Produce World’s Growing Trust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme and since the company began the programme in 2007, it has made considerable progress without excessive investment.

In fact, Produce World’s group of businesses has reduced the amount of waste sent to landfill by 43%, cut carbon emissions by 10%, reduced water usage by 20% and cut energy usage by 28%.

Information on how the company’s individual business units are fairing against these non-financial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is available online, via the Credit 360 Sustainability Performance Reporter. Credit 360 is also used by companies like John Lewis and McDonald’s.

Recently, Produce World won the Innovative Reporting category of the awards run by the Ethical Corporation as part of its Responsible Business Summit. Companies that won other categories, or that were highly commended, included L’Oreal, PepsiCo and Greenpeace.

Produce World’s Group Environmental Manager, Adele Carroll says: “We understand that we have a role to play in protecting our environment and at Produce World our culture fosters a determination to effectively manage our business activities and ensure we have a positive environmental impact.”

The company’s work towards improved performance in environmental stewardship has also been recognised over the past 18 months, with the business securing ISO14001 accreditation for its head office and four of its businesses: potato supplier Solanum; organic specialist RB Organic; Isleham Fresh Produce, which markets root vegetables; and Rustler Produce, a major supplier of onions, garlic and leeks.

“We see ourselves as a progressive and innovative local business and with our investment in the transparency of the Credit 360 reporting system keeping us on track, we’re definitely going the right way to achieving true sustainability across our business,” said Adele.

For more information visit the Produce World website.