OUR sustainability

Our Sustainability

The UN defines sustainability as ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ and we certainly sign up to that. But you’ll also hear us talking (a lot!) about regeneration. That’s because we believe that just being sustainable doesn’t go quite far enough – we want to leave the world a better place, so for us regeneration is where we are focused.

OUR sustainability

Our Commitment

We, like most other businesses, rely on the world around us to ensure continuity of supply and are committed to delivering our ESG  targets  through responsible procurement, production and processes whilst also working to protect the beautiful landscape that surrounds us and offer stability and consistency to our farmer members.

Our ESG strategy places emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and driving environmental improvements by putting in place measurable and achievable targets here on site in Shaftesbury.

On our farms, we’ve made some ambitious commitments, including a pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040 at the latest, with a target to reduce carbon footprint at farm level by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero in milk transport and processing by 2035.

On top of all of this, we’ve also committed to:

• A target to sequester 100,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum on members’ farms by 2025
• A target to increase milk from forage by 10 per cent by 2025 to reduce members’ reliance on imported feeds
• The aim for all transport and processing activity to be using renewable fuel sources by 2030
• The intention to reduce antibiotic use by a further 10 per cent by 2025

OUR SUSTAINABILITY

Waste Management

We have an established Waste Action Team here on our Shaftesbury site, who help to ensure that we minimise waste creation, reduce water and energy use and make efficient use of any waste that we do create for example,  

The liquid by-product waste and washings from our factory are used as feedstock for our on-site Anaerobic Digester, not only reducing sewer disposal but also generating electricity to power a large proportion of the site.

our SUSTAINABILITY

Solar Energy

The entire roof of our state-of-the-art Chillstore is covered in solar panels that produce 3500 kWh of electricity daily, providing enough electricity to power the entire building which not only houses 1000 pallet spaces at a perfect 3°C on the ground floor but has office facilities and meeting rooms above.

Of course, any electricity not provided by our Chillstore Solar Panels or AD Plant comes from a green energy tariff.

our SUSTAINABILITY

Green Fleet

Getting your orders to you on time is important to us, but there are still steps we can take to limit the impact of our transport to the environment. With this in mind, we have a Sustainable Transport and Vehicle Use Policy in place for our HGV fleet with a firm commitment to reducing emissions related to vehicle idling and fuel usage. Any new vehicles brought into our fleet will be fitted with the most up to date technology, allowing the use of HVO.

our SUSTAINABILITY

On Farm

It’s not just on site we’re focusing our efforts; we have been working with the Farm Carbon Toolkit since 2023 to establish our dairy footprint and that of our supply chain.

Specifically, we are committed to encouraging our farmers to not only establish their farm footprint, but to better understand and embed carbon reduction measures – increasing carbon sequestration and farm efficiency. And all of our member farmers and direct suppliers have completed an annual Regenerative Farm Action plan, bespoke to their farm and a sign of their commitment to not only carbon, but bio-diversity and animal welfare too.