Environmentally friendly production is not just about how to use input factors in production. It is also about creating products that are environmentally friendly in themselves.

Scandza wants to meet consumers’ expectations and positively influence their dietary choices by offering more sustainable products. We are experiencing a shift in the Nordic consumption pattern towards more plant-based products. This is primarily due to health and environmental reasons (16), and in line with Nordic Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, which recommend limiting consumption of red and processed meat (17). 

The overall responsibility for product development sits with the Market Director  who is leading and coordinating the work on this issue at a group level. An innovation group meets monthly to discuss new solutions, progress, and map future needs. From 2021 the Head of Communication and sustainability was part of this group, influencing the decisions on product range. 

There is significant potential to reduce downstream waste generation through improving product packaging.
Product packaging has several functions: protection, information, and enhanced product duration. Our mission is to develop environmentally friendly packaging that does not compromise on the level of protection or duration of the product. All brands are continuously working to reduce the amount of packaging in total . Through Plastløftet (18) Scandza is committed to contribute to a more circular economy for plastic. Our goal is to reduce the volume of plastic used in packaging, and ensure that all packaging is recyclable, recycled and biodegradable by 2030. Throughout 2021, all new products’ packaging was designed with the aim of meeting the 2030 target. Still, the vast majority of our packaging is made from virgin plastic as access to recycled plastic material is limited. As the market for recycled plastic increases, we will continue to focus on cutting and/or replacing plastic with more environmentally friendly materials.

We are experiencing increased interest in vegan and vegetarian options which are good for public health and the climate (20). 

Scandza views plant-based products as a promising business opportunity aligned with our values and ESG goals. However, we are aware of the environmental challenges it poses and are continuously seeking new solutions that are better for the environment. We are developing more and more improved vegan and vegetarian alternatives as part of all ranges, increasing the share of greens in mixed products, and adding more products to our vegan and vegetarian brands (please see Go’ Vegan page). We  have replaced the soybean oil with sunflower oil due to the negative impact from the production of soybeans.

Food production, biodiversity and the EU taxonomy

Once criteria are finalised in the Environmental Delegated Act (please see below for more information about the taxonomy), Scandza will use the taxonomy to report on the criteria for the manufacture of food products and beverages and biodiversity, if applicable. The technical screening criteria outlined in the taxonomy represent a scientific and objective standard, set by experts, for when food production can be considered to be making a substantial contribution to sustainability and doing no significant harm to key objectives like pollution, use of water, and climate change adaptation. By using these standards to assess and report on the performance of our activities, we can track our progress, contribution, and real impact on key areas, as well as identify areas for improvement and new solutions.

Food waste is one of the largest negative environmental impacts of the food industry. Scandza wants to cut food waste in our own production and help consumers reduce their food waste. 48% (21) of the food waste in Norway originates from households, according to Matvett.

Scandza’s brands pay a lot of attention to reducing food waste, implementing measures as “Best før, men ikke dårlig etter”, proper unit sizes, well designed packaging, to mention a few. Finsbråten, Leiv Vidar and Synnøve have all signed up to the Industry Agreement to cut food waste with 50 per cent before 2030.

Scandza has partnered with Too Good To Go and Havaristen to rescue food from turning into waste. Please see our page about Governance for more information.

The EU Taxonomy currently has three delegated acts that have been finalised (the Climate Delegated Act, the Complemetary Delegated Act and the Disclosures Delegated Act). Scandza has already begun to work with the taxonomy and look at applicable activities and criteria. The Environmental Delegated Act contains the most relevant activities for Scandza, including technical screening criteria for the manufacture of food and beverages.

Although the Environmental Delegated Act is not yet finalised, the inclusion of these activities shows that these activities are critical for the green transition and that food and beverage manufacturers have a crucial part to play in a transition to a climate-neutral and environmentally sustainable society.

Food and beverage production in the taxonomy has two ways to contribute to sustainability: by making a substantial contribution to the circular economy through reusable or recyclable food packaging, or by making a substantial contribution to biodiversity through the selection of ingredients that improve biodiversity, reduce pressure on biodiversity, or contribute to the conservation of critical, endangered, or vulnerable species.

Scandza has collected data on materials used for packaging and will investigate impacts in our reporting on the taxonomy criteria as soon as the draft is finalised and adopted by the EU, along with the criteria for Manufacture of food products and beverages (making a substantial contribution to biodiversity).