Flagship Corporate Version 2025–2028
Aligned with BRCGS Food Issue 9 • M&S Sustainability Framework • SEDEX/SMETA • B-Corp Environment • UK Environmental Law • UK EPR & OPRL Requirements

1. Executive Vision

Met Foods Ltd is a leader in the UK plant-based food industry.

We recognise that environmental protection, sustainable sourcing and responsible manufacturing are fundamental to long-term success.

Our environmental vision is:

To operate as a responsible, low-impact manufacturer by embedding sustainability into every decision — from farm and ingredient sourcing, to manufacturing, packaging, distribution, waste management, and end-of-life recovery.

We acknowledge the climate, resource and waste challenges facing our planet, and we commit to driving positive, measurable environmental impact across all our operations.

2. Strategic Environmental Principles

Our policy is built on six long-term principles:

2.1 Leadership & Accountability

Environmental responsibility is a Board-level priority. Directors ensure resources, governance and strategic alignment.

2.2 Prevention Over Correction

We reduce waste, pollution and resource use at source, before recycling or recovery.

2.3 Circularity by Design

We design packaging, products and processes for long-term circularity — reuse, recyclability and recovery.

2.4 Transparency & Traceability

We maintain full visibility over raw material origin, environmental risks and supply chain routes.

2.5 Evidence-Based Decisions

We use supplier data, KPIs, environmental reviews, audits and performance dashboards to guide improvements.

2.6 Continuous Improvement Culture

Environmental performance is reviewed, challenged and strengthened annually through KPIs, employee feedback, audits and management reviews.

3. Environmental Objectives: 2025–2028

Met Foods sets the following strategic objectives:

3.1 Climate & Energy

• Reduce energy consumption per tonne of product.
• Improve plant efficiency through engineering optimisation.
• Explore renewable energy options.
• Minimise indirect carbon emissions through logistics and waste reduction.

3.2 Sustainable Raw Material Sourcing

• Source raw materials from approved suppliers meeting environmental, ethical and traceability criteria.
• Complete annual environmental risk assessments for all high-volume ingredients (almonds, coconut, fruit, stabilisers).
• Prefer certified, low-impact suppliers aligned with M&S, Sedex and B-Corp expectations.

3.3 Packaging Sustainability & Innovation

• Achieve ≥95% recyclable mono-material packaging across all SKUs.
• Reduce packaging weight (PP pots, PET lids, sleeves, cartons).
• Maintain Packaging Environmental Matrix with quarterly updates.
• Collaborate with packaging suppliers on low-impact formats, inks, adhesives and lighter-gauge materials.
• Meet or exceed M&S PIC and UK EPR requirements.

3.4 Sustainable Product Design

• Integrate environmental screening into every NPD and reformulation project.
• Reduce sugar levels and processing intensities where feasible.
• Increase ingredient efficiency and reduce recipe waste.
• Improve product nutritional density (e.g., protein upgrades).

3.5 Waste Reduction & Resource Efficiency

• Operate a zero avoidable waste philosophy.
• Segregate all recyclable materials on site.
• Reduce food waste through production planning, yield optimisation and training.
• Maintain effective waste contractor partnerships to ensure recycling and responsible disposal.

3.6 Water & Chemical Stewardship

• Minimise water use without compromising food safety.
• Ensure responsible chemical storage, usage and disposal.
• Prevent environmental contamination through maintenance and spill controls.

4. Supply Chain & Supplier Environmental Responsibility

We integrate environmental requirements into supplier approval (BRCGS 3.5, SEDEX, M&S Supplier Expectations).

Suppliers must:

• comply with environmental legislation,
• provide full visibility on material composition,
• declare recyclability and environmental risks,
• complete annual supplier sustainability questionnaires,
• demonstrate responsible agricultural and manufacturing practices,
• support transparency on country of origin and transport modes.

Suppliers with higher environmental risks receive increased monitoring and verification.

5. Packaging & Circularity Framework

Packaging is one of the largest sources of environmental impact.

Our framework is built around:

5.1 Material Efficiency

• Reduction of PP pot thickness
• Optimisation of PET lid gauge
• Lighter sleeves and cartons
• Removal of unnecessary packaging components

5.2 Recyclability

• All primary packaging to be widely recyclable in UK kerbside systems.
• Elimination of problematic materials (e.g., PVC, multilayer laminates).

5.3 Supplier Partnerships

Working directly with Constantia, PFF, Greiner and carton suppliers on:

• mono-material improvements
• life-cycle considerations
• lower CO₂ packaging options
• recyclability certifications

5.4 Packaging Environmental Matrix

The Packaging Environmental Matrix is updated annually as part of the Environmental Review, and whenever packaging formats or suppliers change:

• material type
• total weight
• recyclability classification
• supplier environmental performance
• improvements completed
• reduction opportunities

This matrix is used for BRCGS, M&S and B-Corp evidence.

6. Operations, Waste & Resource Management

We maintain a robust system aligned with BRCGS 4.11, SEDEX and B-Corp criteria.

6.1 Waste Management

• Full segregation: plastic, cardboard, organic, metal, general waste
• Monitoring of monthly waste KPIs
• Training employees on correct segregation
• Partnering with waste contractors prioritising recycling and recovery
• Continuous review of waste generation per tonne of product

6.2 Water Management

• Routine monitoring of usage
• Wastewater controls to prevent contamination
• Maintenance programmes to avoid leaks and inefficiencies

6.3 Chemical & Environmental Hazard Control

• Full COSHH compliance
• Spill response procedures
• Secure storage and containment
• Regular staff training

7. Environmental Review & Governance

Met Foods performs an Annual Environmental Review covering:

• Packaging environmental performance
• Raw material environmental risk assessment
• Supplier sustainability data
• Waste KPIs
• Energy and resource usage
• NPD environmental impact
• Carbon reduction opportunities

The review feeds directly into:

• BRCGS Management Review (1.1.2)
• M&S Sustainability reporting
• SEDEX/SMETA audits
• B-Corp environment scoring
• Internal KPI dashboards
• Annual Improvement Plan

8. People, Culture & Training

Environmental awareness is part of our organisational DNA.

We provide:

• induction training on environmental responsibilities
• refresher training for all staff
• toolbox talks on waste, segregation and resource use
• performance dashboards on the production floor
• environmental awareness posters and signage

Leadership participates in:

• environmental factory walks
• KPI reviews
• packaging projects
• sustainability decision making

9. Governance, Roles & Responsibilities

Managing Director
Strategic oversight, approval of policy, allocation of resources.

Operations Director
Operational leadership, energy reduction strategy, waste and efficiency control.

Technical Manager
Environmental reviews, packaging compliance, supplier sustainability, SEDEX/BRC management.

Engineering Manager
Efficiency optimisation, maintenance of equipment reducing environmental loss.

Production Team
Waste segregation, resource efficiency, compliance with environmental procedures.

All Employees
Responsible resource use, correct segregation, safe environmental behaviours.

10. Policy Review & Communication

This policy is:

• approved annually by Senior Leadership
• displayed across all sites
• part of induction and refresher training
• provided to suppliers and customers on request
• included in the Quality Manual and site documentation
• reflective of legal, customer and certification changes

Met Foods Ltd is committed to being a responsible, ethical and environmentally focused plant-based manufacturer.
Every product, every process and every decision reflects our commitment to the planet.