High street bakery chain Greggs has made significant strides in its sustainability efforts, as detailed in its latest report released on April 16, 2025. Dubbed "The Greggs Pledge," this report outlines the company’s progress against its ambitious five-year sustainability plan initiated in 2021. The plan is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and focuses on ten key commitments aimed at promoting stronger communities, ensuring a safer planet, and enhancing business practices.
One of the most notable achievements highlighted in the report is the opening of the 1,000th Greggs Foundation Breakfast Club. This initiative provides free, nutritious breakfasts to over 75,000 schoolchildren across the UK every school day, addressing food insecurity directly. The company also celebrated a significant milestone by donating the equivalent of one million meals to FareShare over the course of its ten-year partnership, demonstrating its commitment to tackling hunger.
Greggs has also expanded its network of Outlet shops, which now totals 38 locations. These shops aim to provide affordable food in areas of social deprivation, with plans to increase that number to 45 by the end of 2025. The company’s commitment to making healthy food options available is reflected in its goal for 30% of the items on its shelves to be classified as healthier choices.
In terms of environmental sustainability, Greggs has made impressive progress. The company reported that its vehicles covered almost two million miles using renewable fuels last year, thanks to the conversion of its Enfield distribution depot to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a diesel replacement. This shift is part of a broader strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, expressed pride in the achievements outlined in The Greggs Pledge. “We’re extremely proud of The Greggs Pledge, which focuses our business on making meaningful impact where it matters most,” she stated. “We’re delighted to be on track with the majority of our targets and remain committed to evolving our initiatives based on new insights and stakeholder priorities.”
Looking ahead, Greggs aims to maintain its momentum by further refining its sustainability goals for the next five years. The company plans to release a comprehensive roadmap in its next Sustainability Report, set for publication in 2026.
Among its sustainability targets, Greggs has set clear objectives to reduce waste and enhance its operational efficiency. By the end of 2025, the company aims to create 25% less food waste compared to 2018 levels and to ensure that 100% of surplus food is directed to those most in need. In 2024, Greggs successfully reduced manufacturing waste to just 0.2% of sales and increased the redistribution of unsold food to 45%. The company plans to further increase this figure to 47% by the end of 2025.
In addition to these initiatives, Greggs is focusing on improving its packaging practices. The company has committed to using 25% less packaging by weight than in 2019, with the remaining packaging made from materials that are widely recyclable. As of 2024, 98.3% of its own brand packaging is already designed for easier recycling.
Greggs is also dedicated to ensuring that its workforce reflects the communities it serves. By the end of 2025, the company aims to complete a National Equality Standard (NES) reassessment and maintain its accreditation. This commitment underscores Greggs’ focus on diversity and inclusion within its workforce.
Another significant aspect of The Greggs Pledge is the Responsible Sourcing Strategy, which aims to ensure that all soy used in the company’s operations is certified as sustainable. In 2024, Greggs achieved 100% sustainability certification for declared soy and is working with suppliers to ensure that all soy in animal feed meets the same standards by the end of 2025.
Greggs has also received recognition for its animal welfare standards. The company secured a top four ranking among 150 of the world’s largest food companies in the Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW). This ranking reflects Greggs’ commitment to improving welfare standards, particularly for its chicken sourcing, with the majority of its chickens raised under conditions that meet or exceed the highest welfare standards.
As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Greggs has introduced industry-first heat-resistant, recycled PET (rPET) hot drink lids, further demonstrating its dedication to reducing its environmental impact.
The Greggs Pledge represents more than just a corporate initiative; it reflects a broader commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship. By focusing on community support, sustainable practices, and ethical sourcing, Greggs is positioning itself as a leader in the food industry, committed to making a positive impact on society and the planet.
As the company looks towards the future, it remains steadfast in its mission to create a better business that contributes positively to the world. The next phase of The Greggs Pledge promises to build on the progress made thus far, with an emphasis on evolving its strategies to meet emerging challenges and opportunities.
The full details of The Greggs Pledge and its ongoing initiatives can be found on the Greggs corporate website.
