"The Footprint Awards are the only initiative to recognize the achievements of companies in the area of sustainability and responsible business practice in the out of home sector and its supply chain," says award sponsor and Meiko UK MD Paul Anderson.
"Sustainability is coming higher up the agenda for action by the UK catering industry – indeed it has to – because we are running out of water and learning more about the harm we have done to our suffering planet.
"It is not a case of 'can we turn it around' – WE MUST TURN THE SITUATION AROUND, SO OUR EXISTENCE IS A BENEFIT, NOT A CURSE TO THE PLANET.
"Sustainability is an issue that must be raised ever more urgently and that is why Meiko and the staff of Meiko are so keen to get involved.
"Sustainability is critical for us as a company; it is at the heart of what we do, and it is always our focus to provide our customers with ware washing and food waste handling equipment that uses less in terms of materials, energy, water and chemicals!
"Many congratulations to Brakes, who retained the title to become this year's worthy winner in the face of stiff competition. Congratulations also to the runners up who have also proved their sustainable credentials."
Brakes was chosen as the winner for its 'Holistic CSR programme, people, product and planet'.
This included completion of its pledge to remove all hard-to-recycle black plastic from its own brand range and becoming the first wholesaler to sign up to the Plastics Pact and minimising waste, particularly food waste.
The company also launched an internal wellbeing programme, which encompassed mental, physical and financial health. The company has been widely praised for leading the way with its Mental Health programme, which it has extended through the COVID-19 pandemic to support colleagues. These activities helped the company deliver record colleague engagement scores across the business.
Said Tori Hickson, Head of Communications, Brakes: "We pressed on with our commitments and our goals, worked closely with our suppliers and it is amazing to see it pay off."
The finalists included:
- Brakes
- Camino Coffee
- Essential Cuisine
- Klöckner Pentaplast
- Ramco
- 918 Coffee
The full awards can be watched here