Vacherin publishes sustainability and CSR report
London caterer Vacherin has published its first sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) report as part of its commitment to operating ethically and responsibly.
Entitled Vacherin Cares 2014/15, the report highlights the company's sustainability and CSR achievements to date, including being awarded a top rating of three stars from the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) last month.
The business benefits the company's actions were outlined in the document, including details of savings made in carbon emissions, water and waste, while the health and wellbeing of employees and customers and the welfare of animals were also a core focus.
Highlights include:
- Awarded top rating of three stars by the SRA
- Placed at number 10 in the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For in the UK
- Increased recycling by 25% over the past 7 years, to more than 75% in 2015
- Overall carbon emissions reduced by 5%, even with a 20% increase in revenue
- More than 90% of animal products now sourced from British farmers
- All sites now cook with locally-sourced rapeseed oil, which is turned into biodiesel after use
- More than 80% of disposables used are compostable or made from recycled products
- More than 20% of grab and go sales come from Vacherin's healthy eating range called Nutritious & Delicious
Vacherin's ‘red meat free Mondays', which sees only fish, chicken or vegetarian dishes served in participating sites, was launched in January 2014 and the caterer has reported a reduction in carbon emissions of 65 tonnes for the full year.
Meanwhile Vacherin's decision to only use free-range eggs from British Farms was recognised by Compassion in World Farming with the Good Egg Award.
Anthony Kingsley, Vacherin's lead for sustainability and CSR, described sustainability and CSR reports as "vital tools" in encouraging the company's staff, clients, suppliers and partners and inspiring transparency in the wider industry.
He said: "The report clearly lays out our commitment and operational dedication for all to see, but the true competitive advantage comes when we can benchmark our progress and show our stakeholders year-on-year improvements, and our Vacherin Cares Report does just that."
Phil Roker, commercial director at Vacherin, added: "Sustainability and CSR is not about being seen to tick the right boxes, it's about taking positive action to do what's right for the planet and society. This philosophy underpins how our business has operated from day one."
