FIGHTING AGAINST FOOD WASTE
A member of the United Nations Champions 12.3 initiative, Sodexo has set a 2025 target of reducing food waste by 50% (compared to 2019 ). To achieve this, the Group is committed to supporting and stimulating the progress made by its chefs and employees on site, like the partnership developed in Australia with the anti-waste food platform Yume. Sodexo also combines its expertise with other member companies of the International Food Waste Coalition (IFWC) as part of a collaborative “from field to fork” approach. In addition, Sodexo joined nine other world leaders in the food industry in founding the 10x20x30 initiative, in which partners engage with their priority suppliers to put in place common processes for measuring waste throughout the value chain.
STRENGTHENING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF SITES
Sodexo is committed to switching to 100% renewable energy by 2025 at its directly operated sites. This ambition extends to its clients, whom the Group supports in improving their energy efficiency and achieving their sustainability goals by offering them a comprehensive energy management service that generates significant savings and significant returns on investment. In Södertälje, Sweden, the external impact of AstraZeneca’s Oazen restaurant was reduced by 67% by accelerating the Sodexo-supported Sparx program in partnership with the innovative company, Klimato, for calculating CO2 emissions. The Coolab program, developed jointly by Sodexo and Nokia China helped to improve the energy efficiency of Nokia laboratories, saving 1.3 million euro, 12,620 MHW, and 9,945 tons of CO2 emissions in 2019.
CREATING NEW INCLUSIVE MODELS IN REGIONS
In line with its mission, Sodexo is creating new models for an inclusive, financially sustainable economy that ensures equal opportunity in disadvantaged areas. Embodied by “l’Atelier,” this innovative model is based on consultation with local stakeholders and the needs of the regions. A pilot will be open ed in the fall of 2021 in Clichy-sous-Bois (France) and will include a vegetable processing plant, a reception and early childhood center, a community space and a training room. Backed by a partnership with the Agence nationale de rénovation urbaine, the model will be deployed in around 20 regions by 2025. This project was also selected in the incubator of the Business for Inclusive Growth (B4IG) coalition, an initiative that Sodexo joined in August 2019. Coordinated by the OECD, the coalition brings together 38 large international companies mobilized to advance human rights within their value chains and to strengthen inclusion throughout their internal and external ecosystems.
CONTRIBUTING TO A HUNGER-FREE WORLD
Created by Sodexo in 1996, Stop Hunger is a global non-profit network acting in 47 countries. The human values and skills of the 26,000 Stop Hunger volunteers benefit local communities and hundreds of NGOs. In Fiscal 2020, they collected 8.6 million U.S. dollars in donations and distributed 7.3 million meals. Over the last 5 years, 44 million beneficiaries have been helped.
INNOVATING FOR THE REDUCTION OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS
To combat the growing pollution of single-use plastics, Sodexo uses innovative and sustainable packaging and recycling solutions. An internal study identified relevant articles and proposed to replace the plastic articles with reusable, bioplastic and organic materials for clients in 17 countries. In France, FoodChéri, the first foodtech player to have used 100% eco-responsible packaging, is taking up the challenge of the zero-waste offer by proposing companies returnable packaging in reusable plastic. In India, Sodexo has replaced nearly 8 million plastic products with their equivalent in durable materials: paper straws, wooden beverage stirrers, wooden utensils, paper in aluminum packaging.
PRIORITY TO SHORT SUPPLY CHAINS
Sodexo’s supply management teams are adopting new supply chain practices, including shorter routes, more local products and increased seasonal offerings. Sodexo gives small businesses priority access to its supply chain through its partner inclusion program and a methodology designed to help small and medium-sized businesses meet the Group’s standards. Globally, 4.4 billion euro of Sodexo business value benefiting small and medium-sized businesses. In France, for instance, 60% of products are sourced from producers through direct supply.