Every step counts
We understand sustainability as a continuous process. A big challenge with gluten-free products is to develop packaging that is as sustainable as possible while ensuring the best possible product protection to avoid contamination with gluten. For some people even the smallest traces of certain allergens can have adverse health effects, so the packaging must offer sufficient protection. Nevertheless, we are convinced that every small step in the right direction counts and, together with our manufacturing partners, we do our best every day to get closer to this goal. We are already doing a lot to achieve this:
What we do
Exclusively organic quality
We're going organic as a matter of principle and each of our products is certified according to the EU Organic Regulation. Organic farming is considered a particularly resource-conserving and environmentally friendly form of agriculture. The focus is not only on the preservation and care of the soil, but also on animal husbandry that is as species-appropriate as possible. Synthetic chemical fertilisers and pesticides are deliberately avoided and instead crop rotation and green manure are used to protect soil health. The use of genetic engineering in organic food is prohibited by EU law. We are very pleased that our gluten-free oats are even certified by Bioland.
Guideline for meaningful packaging
Since 2013, we have been using the Alnavit guide for the development of meaningful packaging in cooperation with our manufacturer partners. It is based on life cycle assessments, expert evaluations and our own calculations of the CO2 footprint. For example, it states that wherever possible we avoid unnecessary packaging components such as clips or resealable labels on muesli and pasta packs. We have recently been able to reduce this in our fruit and chocolate mueslis and in Alnavit cornflakes.
Consistent reduction of packaging waste
We continuously check how we can make the packaging of our products more sustainable and constantly challenge our manufacturing partners. And we've had great success. A recent example is the change in our bread roll packaging, which we implemented in the course of our relaunch. By not using additional paper outer packaging, we saved a full 8,354 tons of waste in 2020 compared to 2019.
Careful handling of food
We to have to deal with excess production. In such cases, together with Alnatura, we cooperate with charitable organisations such as the Tafel.
Communication materials that are as sustainable as possible
We also place great emphasis on sustainability in all our communication materials. Our first priority is always to check which print materials are evennecessary and beneficial for an all-round good feeling. We reach our customers primarily digitally. If we use haptic materials, such as for sending product samples, we consistently use sustainable materials. The paper we use is at least FSC-certified or awarded the Blue Angel, and we print with mineral oil-free inks.
Sustainable office building
As a sibling company of Alnatura, we are delighted not only to be part of the working community, but also to use the Alnatura working environment as our office. At the beginning of 2019, we were able to move into this great building together, for which Alnatura even won the German Sustainability Award Architecture 2020. It is characterised by natural materials and low energy requirements. For example, there is no air conditioning, the source of fresh air is the neighbouring pine forest and the water for the toilets and outdoor facilities comes from a massive, underground rainwater cistern.