Helga’s is “being kinder to the planet” by reducing waste, recycling plastic, and switching to 100% renewable energy across its baking operations.
Helga’s claims to be the first bread brand in Australia to reach these sustainability milestones in tandem.
The brand’s plastic packaging for loaves, rolls and wraps is 100% recyclable through REDcycle at participating stores.
“We want our consumers to know that, like them, we are 100% committed to being kinder to our planet, and our 100% recyclable bags contribute to less plastic being sent to landfill; and contributing to soft plastics being turned into new products,” says Helga’s.
Goodman Fielder Head of Sustainability Mick Anderson says the brand’s focus on reducing the impact of packaging and plastic waste starts with design and innovation.
“This includes reducing the plastic content of our bags by 25%,” he says.
“At Helga’s, our 100% recyclable bags mean we’re reducing waste to landfill and contributing to new products being created from the recovered plastic.
“We want to educate and enable consumers on how they can participate in that process, helping to potentially recycle more than 62 million bags each year.”
Next month, Helga’s is going one step further in eliminating plastic waste with the introduction of 100% recyclable cardboard bread tags across its range.
Beyond plastic
Helga’s says its focus on plastic is just the start to creating the “kindest bread” in Australia.
From 1 July, the company switched to 100% renewable electricity across its owned bakeries in Australia.
“The switch to 100% renewable electricity for our Goodman Fielder operated bakeries is a critical step for Helga’s,” says Mr Anderson.
“By using renewable electricity at our Goodman Fielder operated sites, we are moving closer to our target of net zero carbon emissions by 2040; reducing our own and our consumer’s climate impact.”
Helga’s achieved its 100% renewable electricity target four years earlier than its original 2025 sustainability ambition.