SUSTAINABILITY
KFC, one of the world’s largest quick service restaurant chains is following the KFC global sustainability commitment that all plastic-based, consumer-facing packaging will be recoverable or reusable by 2025. The goal supports KFC’s long-term plan to implement a more sustainable packaging strategy in its restaurants – by both developing and using sustainable packaging options – and builds on progress already made in some markets to eliminate plastic packaging items.
As a global brand that operates more than 22,000 restaurants in over 135 countries, KFC is in a position to have a real impact on how the industry approaches waste and packaging management overall. With environmental sustainability as a core aspect of how we do business, this commitment represents a public acknowledgment of the obligation we have to address these serious issues.
To meet these goals, KFC has developed a roadmap that includes partnering with major suppliers and franchisees globally to identify plastic alternatives in each market. The restaurant chain is working on several key initiatives related to achieving these goals, including conducting an audit of current systems to identify plastic waste reduction opportunities; partnering with suppliers to identify sustainable packaging alternatives for items like lids; and setting market-specific goals to reduce, reuse and recycle.
At KFC Baltics and Finland, we are dedicated to making positive changes that contribute to a more sustainable future. As part of our alignment with KFC’s global sustainability commitment, which aims to ensure that all plastic-based, consumer-facing packaging is recoverable or reusable by 2025, we have taken significant strides over the past 2-3 years to minimize our environmental footprint.
Key Sustainability Initiatives:
- Transition to Paper Straws: In line with reducing plastic waste, we have successfully transitioned from plastic straws to paper straws. This shift has significantly curbed the consumption of single-use plastics and encouraged responsible disposal.
- Elimination of Plastic Cutlery and plastic bags: Our commitment to sustainability led us to eliminate plastic cutlery and plastic bags from our packaging. By doing so, we have further reduced the usage of non-recoverable plastics.
- Optimized Packaging Types and Materials: We have been proactive in optimizing the assortment of packaging types and materials we use. This approach not only minimizes waste but also ensures that the materials we do use align with sustainability goals. Starting from 2023, we are using PEFC certified packaging in KFC restaurants. Packaging with PEFC label, are made from materials from responsibly and sustainably managed forests. Undoubtedly, we can’t completely abandon food packaging in restaurants, but we can make better and more sustainable choices in terms of materials – that’s why our packaging carries the PEFC label.
- On-Demand Utensils and Napkins: In a bid to reduce potential waste, we now provide cutlery, napkins, and other utensils only upon customer request. This strategy prevents the unnecessary distribution of items that might go unused.
- Plastic Reduction Milestone: Through consistent efforts, KFC Baltics and Finland have succeeded in drastically minimizing plastic usage to an impressive maximum of 1% of total packaging. The plastic that we do continue to use is carefully selected to be recyclable until we can find better, more sustainable alternatives.
In alignment with our dedication to reducing our environmental impact, we have taken the proactive decision to delist wet napkins from our offerings, effective September 2023.
Wet napkins, which are not sustainable and can contribute to environmental degradation, will no longer be a part of our product range. This decision not only showcases our determination to make responsible choices but also reflects our willingness to surpass regulatory expectations. By delisting wet napkins ahead of EU regulations—where wet napkins are slated to be banned from 2025—we are demonstrating our commitment to being leaders in sustainability rather than simply complying with norms.
Our commitment to sustainability remains unwavering. As we continue to progress towards 2025, KFC Baltics and Finland are determined to explore innovative solutions and collaborate with experts to meet and exceed our sustainability goals.
Through these initiatives and ongoing efforts, we are confident in our ability to create a greener, more environmentally responsible future for our customers and communities.
Thank you for joining us on this journey towards a greener tomorrow.
