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Our Food Journey™ 2021 Report
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Environment

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Surpassed Goals
Greenhouse gas (GHG)

We are on track to have an approved science-based target for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2023.

2021 Highlights

Reduced GHG Emissions
21K
+
metric tons
Reduced Energy Use
98K
MMBtu (nearly)
Reduced Water Use
42M
+
gallons
Reduced Solid Waste
500
+
tons (sent to landfills)
Reduced Product Packaging
727K
+
pounds*
Advancing environmental sustainability

We are inspired to do our part to make the world a better place. That’s why we place great emphasis on minimizing environmental impacts when producing products for our customers and consumers around the world. In this spirit, we’re committed to demonstrating climate leadership through our environmental programs and 20 By 30 Challenge goals.

20 BY 30 CHALLENGE GOALS

As part of our 20 By 30 Challenge, we are striving to achieve the following goals by 2030:

  • Demonstrate climate leadership by establishing a science-based target (SBT) for the reduction of GHG emissions by 2023.
  • Match 100% of our energy with renewable sourcing.
  • Advance our water stewardship efforts through initiatives in our top six priority watersheds.
  • Reduce organic waste discharge from our manufacturing facilities by 10% to decrease energy use and GHG emissions, and improve water quality.
  • Work toward zero food waste.
  • Focus on packaging sustainability efforts through research, innovation, on-package communications and optimizing package weight and shipping efficiencies.
  • Support regenerative agriculture initiatives.

These ambitions help support UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 7, 12 and 13.

In addition to our goals listed above, each year we aim to achieve a 1% reduction in energy use and solid waste sent to landfills, and a 2% reduction in water use. We also aim to achieve annual efficiency gains of 1% in energy and water use.

Our Environmental Progress

  • 21K
    +
    Metric Ton Reduction

    GHG Emissions

    We implemented projects that resulted in a reduction of over 21,000 metric tons of GHG emissions from our domestic manufacturing facilities. In addition, we are on track to have an approved science-based target by 2023.

  • Wind

    Energy

    We implemented projects that resulted in reduced energy use of nearly 98,000 MMBtu. We were also able to improve our overall energy efficiency per sales ton by 1.3% and initiated or completed several renewable energy wind and solar projects that we anticipate will help us achieve 100% of our domestic renewable energy sourcing by the end of 2022.

  • Water

    Water

    We successfully implemented projects that reduced water use by over 42 million gallons. We also improved our annual water efficiency by 14%.

  • Waste

    We implemented numerous projects that helped us reduce the amount of solid waste sent to landfills by more than 500 tons, achieving our annual 1% reduction goal. In addition, we began the initial assessment of food waste in our supply chain as we work toward zero food waste.

  • 727K
    +
    Pounds In Savings*

    Packaging

    Our packaging team’s sustainability initiatives resulted in more than 727,000 pounds in savings.* In addition, we added How2Recycle logos onto more than 250 items, including many Hormel® Compleats® microwave meals and Hormel® Cure 81® ham products.

  • regenerative agriculture

    Regenerative Agriculture

    We assessed several regenerative agriculture projects. In addition, our Applegate subsidiary launched the Applegate Naturals® Do Good Dog™ hot dog made with beef raised on verified regenerative U.S. grasslands.

  • $
    1.5M
    +
    In Facility Improvements**

    Facility Improvements

    We implemented more than $1.5 million in facility improvements related to environmental sustainability efforts. **

For additional information about our environmental sustainability progress, please visit the greenhouse gas emissions, energy, water, waste, packaging and regenerative agriculture sections of this report. Please also visit our corporate website for our Environmental Sustainability Policy and information about how we manage environmental compliance, and our CDP climate change response for additional information.

*Savings are estimated annualized savings based on a full year of volume.
**Excludes wastewater improvements.

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