The power of supply chain partnerships

Hana Group is a food company which produces food daily in retail environments and has a separate wholesale distribution arm, with around 700 employees in the UK.

In 2022, Hana Group started its journey towards carbon footprint reduction and now tracks, and has started implementing measures to reduce, its carbon footprint.

Given that Hana Group is growing, it measures its carbon impact per site so that it has a baseline against which to meaningfully measure impact as it grows.

Hana Group has signed up the UN’s ‘Race to Zero’ and has set a range of ambitious targets for 2025, including zero finished goods waste and achieving 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging. Although achieving net zero will involve some degree of offsetting, Hana’s aim is to minimise its carbon impact as much as possible by improving processes, such as buying FSC wood, installing LED lights and water-saving devices.

The power of supply chains

Instead of focusing solely on its Scope 1 emissions in the first instance, Hana Group included its suppliers in its sustainability strategy from day one. This collaboration has facilitated quicker progress on sustainability for both sides.

Hana Group’s carbon footprint is now considered in supply chain decisions, with emphasis on local supply chain solutions, such as sourcing rice for its UK and French markets from France, and for its US market from California, to reduce emissions from transport. Its salmon comes from sustainable farming and verified sources to ensure responsible aquaculture. In 2022, Hana conducted an evaluation of the sustainability performance of its suppliers via a third-party sustainability assessment organisation.

Packaging

Hana Group is committed to achieving 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging. Its poke packaging is already recyclable, and since June 2022 its sushi packaging has been made of 100% recycled materials and suitable for further recycling. Working with Prevented Ocean Plastics has enabled it to source packaging made from plastic has been collected from coastal areas at risk of ocean plastic pollution.

Waste management

Hana Group updated and enhanced its production algorithm to ensure that its finished goods waste is optimised. It has developed and launched zero waste initiatives either internally or with third-party partners in every country in which it operates. In France and Eastern Europe, it has a specific zero waste program to sell excess food at preferred prices, in Belgium it partners with Too Good To Go to reduce food waste, and in the US it partners with the Food Donation Connection charity to donate food surplus.

Related courses and resources

Surveys show that a large majority of global consumers expect companies to be run in a socially responsible manner, with 81% saying they are more likely to buy from brands with similar values to their own. Full IoD members can request a template CSR policy for your company from the Information & Advisory Service.