In 2020, we made an ambitious commitment to reduce our landfill waste by 20% by 2030 as part of our Sustainability Leadership Roadmap. We’re proud to say we’ve achieved and surpassed our target, reducing our waste-to-landfill by 30% this year. This is thanks to innovation led by our teams who demonstrate our ambition to be a leader in sustainable poultry.
These are some of the innovative solutions from our sites that have helped us to achieve our target to reduce landfill waste:
Collaborating with waste contractors
Our Somerville primary processing team collaborated with our waste management supplier on how we could reduce our waste to landfill. Our waste supplier advised us that a significant proportion of chicken waste was wrapped in plastic packaging, preventing it from being recycled. They proposed that we dedicate an employee to remove the chicken from the packaging. This allowed us to redirect the chicken waste to pet food production and compost. This change in process halved the site’s waste to landfill, cutting landfill waste by 1,000 tonnes from the previous year, delivering major environmental and cost benefits.
Improving sorting systems and habits through education
Our Edinburgh Parks further processing team researched their waste processes on site to better understand how and where their waste was being placed, and its final destination. They discovered that inconsistent waste bin labelling led to staff confusion, resulting in limited recycling rates due to cross-contamination of recycling streams.
A dedicated team of onsite waste volunteers introduced a standardised, colour-coded bin system with clear pictorial signage, making waste sorting easier and more efficient. This was supported by staff training and leadership involvement, integrating better waste management practices into daily operations. These changes lead to a 40% reduction in landfill waste in one year, equivalent to 350 tonnes avoided, showing that small operational adjustments with proper training can yield significant results.
Donating food to local communities
Inghams has a national partnership with Foodbank in Australia that resulted in 768 tonnes of product – or the equivalent of 1,384,000 meals – being donated to support people across Australia in FY24.
To further minimise product waste, our Waste Management Champion at Prestons distribution centre identified additional stock close to its end date for donation. After identifying other community-based organisations, the team is now also donating its produce waste to SecondBite, a food rescue organisation that distributes meals to those in need and to animal rescue and rehabilitation organisations Zambi Wildlife and Rosie’s Rescue Farm. By redirecting the short-dated stock from landfills to those in need, the Prestons team have reduced waste by 300 tonnes annually—a 60% decrease—and providing meals to vulnerable communities and animals.
Diverting feed materials from organic waste
Our Clyde feedmill team have partnered with an external feed supplier to divert feed materials from organic waste. Previously, feed that didn’t meet our specifications was sent to composting. By partnering with an external feed company, the feed is now sent to a local pig farm where it is creating a higher value outcome – being reused as feed. The team also promotes sustainability by reusing bulk bags to transport the feed, reducing plastic waste. The trial has been a success, upcycling 3-4 tonnes per week into high value feed instead of composting. This waste solution is being expanded to other Inghams feedmills.
Minimising plastic waste in product labelling
At our Lytton distribution centre in Queensland, our team implemented a new waste reduction concept: using Nobacs labelling machines. These machines apply labels without the backing paper, eliminating the need for its disposal. This innovative technology reduces waste and improves product presentation thanks to their high-quality labels. Following a pilot of the machine’s effectiveness, the team has ordered another nine machines, which will further reduce plastic wastage across all Inghams’ distribution centres. This technology is expected to save over 140,000 label backs per week once fully implemented. Inghams aims to progressively move towards a circular economy by using resources responsibly, minimising waste and increasing recycling opportunities across our supply chain.
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Improved waste labelling has contributed to increased recycling at our further processing site in South Australia.