Dean Foods, a provider of foods and beverages in Europe and the USA, has set new environmental sustainability goals and has expanded its 2013 Environmental Roadmap.
The company has revised its goals to increase transparency and also consider other areas of sustainability including alignment with the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy's industry goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Dean Foods had set goals to achieve 20% reduction in greenhouse gases, 30% reduction in solid waste and 30% reduction in water usage in its previous 2013 Environmental Roadmap. By 2011, it had achieved 8.4% reduction in greenhouse gases, 21% reduction in solid waste and 10.5% reduction in water usage. As part of its new 2020 goals, the company has set goals of 25% reduction in greenhouse gases, 50% reduction in solid waste and 35% reduction in water usage, a significant increase. These goals specify more achievable timelines, recycling, fleet emissions, and energy usage.
The company has expanded its product portfolio, due to which it will not be able to achieve its greenhouse gas and water goals for 2013. In certain factors such as reduction in distribution fleet CO2 equivalent emissions it has exceeded its set goals with 50,000 t reduction and in others such as recycling and solid waste it has achieved significant progress.
For over three years, the company has been ranked on the Carbon Disclosure Project's Leadership Index among the top consumer products companies. Dean Foods intends to set new goals for sustainable supply, packaging and zero-waste plants by the end of the year, 2013.