If you missed Green Drinks during Holme Valley Green Week where the UK’s largest worker-pay co-operative Suma Wholefoods shared some exciting updates about their sustainability plan, don’t dismay! We’ve invited Suma to the guest blog to give us all an update following the event:
“Founded in Leeds way back in 1977, Suma has grown from a humble venture into one of the largest independent wholefood wholesalers in the UK. What makes Suma stand out? It’s all about co-operation! As a worker co-operative, every one of Suma’s 200+ members have an equal say in how the business runs. No bosses here – just a team of passionate individuals making decisions democratically. In the UK, there are about 9,300 worker co-ops, employing over 1.3 million people and boasting a combined income of over £160 billion. Co-ops are thriving, and they have a better chance of surviving their first five years than traditional companies. At Suma, it’s not just about making a profit; it’s about creating positive change and supporting local communities.
Over the last year, Suma has been busy formalising its sustainability commitment through a bold plan designed to take them through to 2030. This plan is built on six key pillars: Net Zero, Zero Waste, Nature, Decent Work, Healthy and Sustainable Diets, and Education and Engagement. It’s ambitious, and we’re determined to share progress – the ups and downs – along the way!
Net Zero: By 2030, Suma aims to decarbonise its fleet, switching to electric and alternative fuel vehicles.
Zero Waste: Working towards becoming a zero waste-to-landfill business and ensuring packaging uses at least 30% recycled materials.
Nature: Striving for 75% of products to be organic by 2030.
Decent Work: Suma plans to achieve B-Corp status and promote living wages throughout our supply chain.
Healthy and Sustainable Diets: With 90% of our products already plant-based, we want to increase this even further.
Education and Engagement: By 2030, we will partner with organisations to educate citizens about co-operative solutions.
So, what has Suma achieved in just one year? Well, we’ve completed a comprehensive assessment of our carbon footprint, partnered with incredible organisations like Prevented Ocean Plastic™, and even launched a new organic Italian pasta range that’s made by a fellow co-op using ancient grains, 100% renewable energy and packaged in FSC certified recycled cardboard! Efforts to reduce food waste have also been a success. Leftovers from the staff canteen are now transformed into sustainable biofuel, contributing to renewable energy. And we’re thrilled to say that Suma was ranked joint top in the Ethical Consumer supermarket category, with many of our products receiving “Best Buy” status!
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. There has a little hiccup with a compostable cling film that composted faster than we could sell it -talk about a biodegradable overachievement! Back to the drawing board on that one…
Transparency is key at Suma. We believe in being open about progress and challenges, and regularly publish sustainability reports to keep customers, suppliers and the community in the loop. After all, sustainability is a team effort, and we’re all in this together! So there you have it! Suma is on an exciting journey towards sustainability, and we are committed to making a positive impact on our planet. We’ve come a long way in a short time, but there’s always more to do. If you’re passionate about ethical living and want to support businesses that care, look no further than Suma.”
We love working with Suma and can’t wait to launch our new partnership with them for 2025 soon! Watch this space.
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