Sodexo’s Requirements in Terms of Replacing Single-Use Plastics
In March 2021, Sodexo removed the main single-use plastic items from all of its European food service sites, going beyond the constraints imposed by European legislation to eliminate plastic bags as well as straws, plates, cutlery and stirrers. Innovative replacements were suggested, such as using sustainable materials for single-use items, strict cleaning protocols and eco-friendly packaging solutions.
At Sodexo headquarters, single-use cups are no longer provided on-site. This has allowed us to save over 320,000 cups per year. We use reusable glasses and low-flow dishwashers, and have established solid sanitation practices, involving both consumers and the on-site team.
Taking Action to Improve Resource Use, Starting with Production
For Sodexo, fighting food waste is a concrete way to take action at every level of the value chain, including food production. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Sodexo partnered with the organization Waste Knot and the agricultural cooperative FerryFast to launch Wasteful to Tasteful, a recycling campaign for the 30% of harvested fruit and vegetables that are deemed unusable in the industry due to their appearance or size. The program supplies 112 client sites with salvaged fruit and vegetables that still retain their full nutritional value and flavor. In Australia, Sodexo has formed a partnership with the anti-waste platform Yume, significantly reducing water use and CO2 emissions through its commitment to purchasing surplus foods.
WasteLESS Week Fights All Types of Waste
Every October for the past 12 years, Sodexo has organized WasteLESS Week at all of its sites around the world. The goal of this dedicated week is to raise awareness among employees, clients and consumers of the importance of fighting all types of waste: food, water, energy, paper and raw materials. The event offers activities like personalized messages for clients and recipes that use left overs, and supports Sodexo’s ongoing waste-reduction efforts. This week allows our consumers and employees to realize that they can change things by giving them a few simple ways to make a difference.
Fighting Food Waste, Sodexo’s Worldwide Collaboration Policy
Sodexo is determined to use its expertise to support joint efforts by global decision-makers to make a collective impact. The Company is joining forces with stakeholders and public authorities involved in the fight against waste, and is using its close, ongoing partnership with the WWF to get its employees and its stakeholders involved. Sodexo is a member of several international projects: the International Food Waste Coalition (IFWC), which promotes a collaborative “farm to table” approach; the Champions 12.3 initiative, inspired by the United Nations SDG Target 12.3 of halving food waste; and the 10X20X30 coalition, of which Sodexo is a founding member, which is working to implement a common waste measurement process for companies and their main suppliers.
