Emmi committing to sustainability

By Jim Cornall

- Last updated on GMT

Swiss company Emmi has engaged WWF Switzerland as it looks to forge ahead in implementation of sustainability measures.
Swiss company Emmi has engaged WWF Switzerland as it looks to forge ahead in implementation of sustainability measures.

Related tags Cattle Milk

Swiss milk processor Emmi has set itself specific objectives in four sustainability-related areas. These objectives have been defined in conjunction with various stakeholders, including WWF Switzerland.

The environmental protection organization will also continue to support Emmi in implementing and cultivating its sustainability commitment in the future.

Sustainable milk

Emmi says that all its Swiss milk suppliers will have to meet stringent sustainability criteria by 2020.

 Particular importance in this regard will be given to the conditions in which the dairy cows are kept – most notably access to open pasture and feed – in the belief that milk production based on roughage is ecologically sensible and conducive to animal welfare.

In return, Emmi says it will pay its Swiss milk suppliers an above-average price.

Reducing waste by 20% by 2020

Emmi says it will generate less packaging and raw material waste in production and look for ways to reintegrate waste into the materials cycle. Emmi will also contribute to reducing the food waste of its customers and consumers.

Reducing CO2

Emmi says it will reduce its CO2​ emissions by 25 % by 2020 (compared to 2014, in relation to the quantity of processed milk), and will continue to lower its energy consumption as well as opting for more sustainable energy sources.

Emmi has decided to rely entirely on hydroelectricity, enabling the company to reduce annual CO2​ emissions by 14,000 tonnes.

BKW will supply Emmi with around 110 gigawatt hours of hydroelectricity a year – enough to meet the needs of all 36 Emmi facilities in Switzerland.

The sustainability advantage

Urs Riedener, CEO of the Emmi Group, said that consumers are increasingly demanding true commitment from companies, however, they also reward this commitment with their loyalty.

“In this respect, Emmi’s ambitious sustainability efforts are an important prerequisite for future business success,”​ Riedener said.

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