It’s good to know where your potatoes come from. 

It’s even better to know they come from a company committed to working in harmony with the environment.

OUR COMMITMENT  

At Albert Bartlett, we’re dedicated to leading the way to a more climate and nature friendly food system, and we aim to work with our customers and suppliers to achieve this in a way that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. 

We were delighted to be awarded the FPC Awards Sustainability Excellence Supply Chain award 2024 – for delivering the changes needed to achieve our sustainability targets, no matter the complexity and challenges that arise. 

Our environmental targets are in line with the UN SDGs, and we require our operations, subsidiaries, and value chain to operate in line with the below goals and targets:  

  • SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. 
  • SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. 
  • SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. 
  • SDG 15: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. 

Further information about the UN SDGs and targets can be found here: 

THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development  

OUR COMMITMENT STARTS ON FARM 

As a family of farmers, we’re passionate about conserving and nurturing the environment that surrounds us. These are just some of the ways we work with our growers to look after the environment:   

  • We recognise LEAF Marque certification as integral to sustainable farming practices and are adopting it throughout our potato supply base. 
  • Potatoes in our operations and on farms which aren’t fit for human consumption are repurposed to be used as animal feed, meaning no fresh potatoes go to waste. 
  • We monitor water use efficiency on our Scottish growers’ farms, and we’re aiming to monitor and increase water use efficiency across our whole potato supply base. 
  • We’re increasing the use of new potato varieties which require less water and less synthetic fertiliser. 
  • We’re working with our potato growers to measure on-farm carbon emissions and reduce absolute GHG emissions on farms (Scope 1 and 3 FLAG emissions) 30.3% by 2030. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE  

We’re committed to meeting ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets from FY 2020/21 base year, and we’re aiming to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. 

We’ve worked with experts to measure our GHG emissions baseline for our own operations and supply chain (scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions), and we’ve developed a carbon and sustainability transition plan, which includes renewable energy, electric forklifts, LED lighting, efficient heating and cooling, and other efficiency measures, to make sure we reduce our GHG emissions in line with our targets.

SCIENCE-BASED TARGETS 

Our near-term targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative and we’re committed to cutting emissions in line with 1.5°C. 

The latest climate science from the IPCC – described by the UN as “code red for humanity” – shows it is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, but we are dangerously close to that threshold.  Albert Bartlett’s near-term targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).  This demonstrates that we’re committed to preventing the worst impacts of climate change by limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 

Our science-based targets are: 

Energy & Industry (E&I): 

  • Albert Bartlett and Sons (Airdrie) Ltd commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 42% by FY2030 from FY2020 base year. 
  • Albert Bartlett and Sons (Airdrie) Ltd also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, fuel- and energy-related activities, upstream transportation and distribution, waste generated in operations and downstream transportation and distribution 42% within the same timeframe. 
  • Albert Bartlett and Sons (Airdrie) Ltd further commits that 52% of its suppliers by emissions covering purchased goods and services and upstream transportation and distribution, will have science-based targets by FY2028. 

Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG): 

  • Albert Bartlett and Sons (Airdrie) Ltd. commits to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 3 FLAG GHG emissions 30.3% by 2030 from a FY2020 base year.* 
  • Albert Bartlett and Sons (Airdrie) Ltd. commits to maintaining no deforestation across its primary deforestation-linked commodities. 

*Target includes FLAG emissions and removals. 

More details on science-based targets can be found at the SBTi website here: Science Based Targets initiative 

OUR COMMITMENT TO MAXIMISE RECYCLING AND MINIMISE WASTE  

As well as signatories to the WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) Courtauld Commitment 2030, we are also supporters of the WRAP Food Waste Reduction Roadmap and other working groups within WRAP.  In June 2022, we took part in a WRAP pilot for Scope 3 GHG guidance for the Food & Drinks industry.  The guidance aims to help food & drinks companies measure their scope 3 emissions and is based on guidance from the GHG Protocol and SBTi. 

You can find out more information on the Food Waste Reduction Roadmap here: 

Food Waste Reduction Roadmap | WRAP 

Potatoes not suitable for our fresh range are diverted to our added value range, and any not fit for human consumption go for animal feed or anaerobic digestion to generate energy, or to be processed into biofuel. 

We also donate surplus potatoes to support UK frontline charities and community groups via our partnership with FareShare.  In total, we’ve donated the equivalent of over 15 million meals to FareShare – last year we donated 3.6M meals which were distributed to over 4,000 charities and supported people experiencing homelessness, asylum seekers and refugees, children and young people, and older people’s community groups. 

Read more about FareShare here: FareShare – WHAT WE DO 

We have a comprehensive recycling infrastructure in place at our sites to ensure we maximise recycling and minimise waste for energy recovery. We work continually on site to identify waste reduction opportunities, and work with our waste management suppliers to find new routes that provide greater resource recovery for our waste. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO IMPLEMENT GOOD WATER STEWARDSHIP  

Water is a precious resource, and in some areas of the UK, it is becoming a scarce one as climate change puts a strain on water availability. We are signatories to the WRAP Water Roadmap, which aims to achieve a high level of good water stewardship through collective action. 

We’re collaborating with experts at BAWAG (Broadland Agricultural Water Abstractors Group) to demonstrate sustainable water management in our operations and supply chain. 

You can find out more information on the WRAP Water Roadmap here: 

A Roadmap Towards Water Security for Food and Drink Supply | WRAP  

OUR COMMITMENT TO PURCHASE PACKAGING AND INGREDIENTS RESPONSIBLY 

Plastic packaging has been in the headlines for its impact on the environment. We recognise the need for action, but also recognise that plastic packaging can help keep food fresh longer, thereby reducing food waste. 

We are working with our suppliers and customers to ensure responsible use of plastic packaging by reducing the amount of plastic packaging we use, working to ensure our plastic packaging is recyclable where possible, and include recycled plastic where feasible. 

All our film for fresh and frozen products is 100% recyclable, with a very small fraction of chilled products using unrecyclable laminate film. 

We work cross-functionally to make sure that our carbon and sustainability transition plan is realistic, and responsibility is shared with all departments of the business – including Procurement, NPD, and Operations. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE BIODIVERSITY  

Our Biodiversity Action Plan was developed with support from the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, and other local biodiversity experts.  The plan identifies the biodiversity across our mainland UK production sites and has identified ways to protect and enhance site biodiversity. Activities include:  

  • Tree planting  
  • Bee hives   
  • Planting pollen and nectar mix 
  • Landscaping areas to encourage greater biodiversity  

SCOTTISH WILDLIFE TRUST 

Scotland, where we grow most of our potatoes, has some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. It’s also home to hugely varied species of wildlife.  

We are Platinum Corporate Members of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the largest charity working exclusively for the protection of all Scotland’s wildlife. It manages over 124 wildlife reserves across Scotland, ranging from Highland estates to urban green spaces. We are proud to support their mission to protect wildlife.