Sustainability
At Dunsters Farm, sustainability is not an afterthought but an integral part of our business model. As a longstanding family business, we recognise our responsibilities towards the environment and are committed to energy-saving practices, waste management, efficient transportation, and fostering social awareness.
Our Sustainability Journey
Our journey towards sustainability is ongoing, and we acknowledge that there isn’t an “overnight solution”. We’re proud of the strides we’ve made, leading us to be awarded the Green Wholesaler of the Year in 2019, a testament to our dedication and forward-looking sustainability plans.
Energy Saving
We have worked tirelessly over recent years to fulfil our environmental responsibilities. Our efforts include upgrading our depot’s lighting to low-energy LED lights, working with an energy company using offshore wind farms for renewable energy, and sourcing our own label water from a facility that operates entirely on green energy from solar panels and wind turbines. We are also moving towards greener refrigerants.
Efficient Transportation
While our delivery business necessitates the use of vehicles, we’ve heavily invested in software to monitor and improve fuel efficiency. Using Fleetmatics to minimise empty miles, improving efficiency and reducing emissions. 35% of our product purchases are within 20 miles of our depot and 100% are purchased within 200 miles. We also practise backhauling from six suppliers, reducing unnecessary vehicles on the road. Our entire delivery fleet uses Euro 5 engine-powered vehicles and Ad Blue to lessen harmful emissions. To further reduce travel, our sales team makes efficient use of remote servers for remote work. 95%of our workforce resides within 20 miles of our depot. We also encourage eco-friendly commuting among our staff, with all of our company cars being EV vehicles and a registered Cycle2Work scheme.
Waste Management
We have implemented various measures to reduce our daily waste. Initiatives like digitalising communication, printing double-sided, and introducing a voice pick system have significantly cut paper use. Moreover, our warehouse team collaborates with local charities like The Real Junk Food Project Manchester, Fareshare, and Sandwich Angels to reduce food waste and we have donated over £60,000 worth of surplus food. We’ve set targets for new recycling initiatives and partnered with Terracycle for recycling crisp packets, old pens, and even cigarette waste to ensure nothing goes to landfill. In the year 2023 we reduced our plastic consumption by 60% and have saved over 200,000 sheets of paper annually through headset-based picking process. Between 2022 and 2025 we helped convert 31,000 litres of waste oil into Biofuel through our partnership with Arrow Oil Waste Collection.
Social Awareness
Our commitment extends to social awareness as well. We’re proud to have donated a piece of land to the Life for Life charity, resulting in a beautiful memorial forest where trees are planted in remembrance of loved ones, with proceeds donated to local hospices and healthcare organisations. Dunsters Farm have spent over 65 hours training sustainability. We have also trained 7 managers on carbon literacy. Our staff have donated over 400 volunteering hours to charity and sustainability events and we have also donated over 15,000 meal packs.
Future Plans
In the short term our goal is to reduce our carbon emissions by 20% in the next two years, with the goal of achieving 50% reduction by 2030. We are currently on track to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2038, ahead of the national target. To accomplish this we are modernising our fleet with hybrid and electric vehicles to further reduce delivery-related emissions and we are planning a 200KVA solar project for 2025. Additionally, we aim to provide all staff with education on sustainable practices to integrate sustainability into all operations.
At Dunsters Farm, we don’t just say we’re sustainable – we act on it. For more information on our sustainability efforts, please contact us today. We’re eager to share more about our journey towards a greener, more sustainable futures.
Our Products
Committed to providing an array of quality food and beverage items tailored to your needs.
Our Team
Discover the passionate, dedicated individuals who contribute to our award winning, family-run business.
Our History
Our story is woven from the threads of hard work, innovation, family values, and a deep love for food.
Our Home
Our home at Waterfold Park is more than a place of work, it's where our passion for food service comes alive.
Our sustainability commitment
To find out more about our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our activities, download our Carbon Reduction Plan and Environmental Statement below.
