One Supplier’s Journey

For the NHS to achieve its ambitious net zero targets, it’s vital that they work in collaboration with suppliers who are prepared to reduce their scope 3 emissions – those that are produced all along the supply chain. Hospital Food + Service follows the journey of one of these suppliers.

Daniela Triolo is leading the sustainability journey for Burlodge, a manufacturer of food delivery systems for hospitals. Burlodge is a few years into its carbon reduction work.

The company started looking at scope 1 and 2 (direct) emissions in 2021, having realised the urgency and importance of the climate crisis and wanting to be able to support the NHS and other clients on their own net zero journeys. In its last financial year (to end of August 2023), Burlodge extended its carbon emissions calculations to cover Scope 3 (indirect emissions across the value chain), put in place an ambitious roadmap to net zero and published both a carbon reduction plan and a corporate social value document.

The commitment from Burlodge is to achieve net zero by 2045, with an interim target by 2030 of a 42% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions and 30% reduction in scope 3 (against a 2023 baseline). Targets have been aligned with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) criteria encompassing all the categories that are relevant to the business.

So Far

Since starting on its carbon reduction programme, Burlodge has already achieved a 40% reduction in electricity usage at its UK operations simply through better energy management. Daniela adds that it is quite remarkable how much they have managed to save and improve on despite already being aware and conscious in the past. Initiatives have included rationalising or upgrading electrical appliances, switching to LED lights, reviewing the operation of heating systems, and greater efficiencies in scheduling warehouse work. Burlodge UK is on track for a further 5% energy reduction this year and is pleased to have achieved Level 2 on the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment.

Burlodge is also well on the way to reaching its target of reducing plastics in the supply chain by introducing a new fully compostable food container as an alternative to the single-use plastic containers that it currently offers to customers.

Five Action Categories

2045 is a long way off, but with that end goal in mind, the immediate focus is on the 2030 interim target, which Daniela describes as “ambitious” in itself. She remains confident, based on the experience of the past few years, that they can achieve what they have set out to do.

Work to achieve this has been set out across five categories:

• Energy-efficiency and low carbon buildings – switching from gas to electric heating and using on-site solar PV to generate zero carbon electricity
• Low carbon transport – the entire Burlodge-owned fleet will be hybrid by 2030, with a significant proportion being fully electric
• Product sourcing and suppliers – engaging with the supply chain, improving understanding of key materials, reducing single-use plastic and using more recycled materials
• Product energy use – the product development team, based at the factory in Italy, are prioritising circularity and energy efficiency of products starting with the introduction of next generation refrigerants
• Logistics – improving delivery efficiency and understanding and switching to low and zero carbon freight solutions.

Key Challenges

Daniela recognises that not everyone shares her passion for sustainability and carbon reduction, but getting everyone at Burlodge on board is essential. “We can’t do it without them. It can only be achieved by working as a team across departments and offices.” This extends to suppliers too, a situation which NHS teams will be only too familiar with. “Getting everyone to follow the same journey is certainly a challenge, but this is a programme that is supported by our most senior people. They really do care about the journey to net zero and that helps a lot.”

- Hospital Food & Service, July/ August 2024, page 16