Latest news with #KirstyFord
Scotsman
08-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Water retailer launches feelgood tariffs
Scottish businesses are being offered the chance to divert water bill savings towards food banks or nature restoration projects, through new 'feelgood' tariffs. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Leading water retailer Business Stream has launched the new offering, with plans to expand the programme over the coming months to its customer base in England, helping to raise significant sums for good causes. Early response to an initial 3-month pilot run last year was promising, with 65 business sites who renewed in Scotland signing up, highlighting a growing trend among companies to align their purchasing decisions with broader ethical considerations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad These tariffs enable customers to redirect a 2% tariff discount to support local food waste projects by redistributing surplus food to charities with FareShare or landscape restoration with Ecologi, with Business Stream matching this contribution. Jo Dow, Chief Executive of Business Stream Jo Dow, Chief Executive at Business Stream, said: 'Our feelgood tariffs are about more than just water savings, they represent a commitment to making a tangible difference to local communities and the environment we all depend on. 'The fact that businesses are already adopting these tariffs is a clear sign that our customers value a partnership that goes beyond the basics. We're proud to match their contributions to help make a lasting impact.' In collaboration with FareShare, the "Naturally Share" tariff directs funds to redistribute surplus food to those in need within the local area, while also helping to reduce food waste. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kirsty Ford, Head of Fundraising at FareShare said: 'We are so grateful to Business Stream for their support for FareShare. Donations through the 'Naturally Share' tariff will help us get good-to-eat food to the people who need it rather than going to waste. Every day, the food we redistribute to a network of over 8,000 charities in every region helps to strengthen communities. From homelessness shelters and afterschool clubs to refuges and older people's lunch clubs, these groups are all working harder than ever. 'The generous support of Business Stream and their customers is instrumental in helping charities unite more people through food to form connections and access essential support services. Thank you for helping FareShare make the food go further.' The "Naturally Care" tariff, in partnership with Ecologi, the UK's most trusted climate action brand, supports the regeneration of UK woodlands, helping to combat biodiversity loss. This option complements the partnership Business Stream has already developed with the climate action specialists to invest in nature-based projects. Ecologi's UK based rewilding projects include restoration of peatlands, heathland, woodland and wildflower meadows. Dimitri Theocharis, CEO at Ecologi said: 'Nature restoration and forest protection plays a crucial role in tackling biodiversity loss, so it's fantastic to see Business Stream empowering their customers to make a real impact. By redirecting tariff discounts to support vital rewilding and habitat restoration projects, they are directly contributing to the restoration of the UK's natural landscapes. This includes protecting wetlands, woodlands and wildflower meadows which are critical for both biodiversity and carbon storage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This initiative not only improves local ecosystems but also sets a powerful example to the utilities sector, demonstrating how businesses can incorporate reforestation and restoration initiatives as a meaningful part of their sustainability efforts. We're excited to be a part of this journey and look forward to seeing the positive change it brings.' 'Naturally Fair', a third tariff option, reassures customers that they will get the lowest possible tariff at Business Stream. Business Stream's driving vision is to make a positive difference to its customers, its people, the environment, and local communities. Since its vision was launched six years ago, the company has introduced over 35 new initiatives which align with its sustainability goals and achieved a Gold rating through EcoVadis, the world's largest sustainability assessment platform.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PepsiCo teams up with unexpected group to tackle crisis: 'We're thrilled to deepen our partnership'
PepsiCo is expanding a program in the United Kingdom to help fight food waste and bolster people's readiness to enter the job market. According to New Food, the food and beverage giant is expanding its partnership with FareShare, the leading food redistribution charity in the U.K. Powered by a £210,000 grant from PepsiCo, the initiative will help to combat food waste by redirecting food from farms and provide 600 jobs for residents of Leicestershire, where PepsiCo's Walker's Crisps are manufactured. PepsiCo is one of the top producers of branded plastic waste in the world, often appearing behind Coca-Cola on lists of the world's worst contributors to plastic pollution. There is much to do for these companies to change or at least make up for that pollution, and this initiative should not be seen as balancing the ledger. That said, it's still worthwhile for companies such as PepsiCo to undertake charitable efforts and other actions that reduce waste or foster sustainable practices. The initiative will work in two parts. First, Surplus with Purpose, which helps farmers and producers send vegetables to a network of 8,000 charities around the U.K. This provides the equivalent of 550,000 meals around the community. Second, there is the Leicestershire Employability Program, which offers tailored workshops, mentoring, and job application support. Its goal is to prepare more than 600 people around Leicester for work in the food and retail sectors. Food waste is one of the biggest problems facing our planet right now. Food thrown out or not used by farms, homes, and businesses accounts for between eight and 10 percent of all global carbon emissions, according to the United Nations. On top of that environmental impact, food waste costs $1 trillion annually, making a massive dent in the global economy. By working with organizations to ensure that as little food is wasted as possible, companies like PepsiCo are trying to reduce the carbon footprint of the food they produce, ensuring it's eaten and not put in landfills. PepsiCo's efforts also support their initiatives to help increase sustainable farming in the U.K., working with 290 farmers in the area to promote regenerative practices. "We're thrilled to deepen our partnership with PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation," Kirsty Ford, head of fundraising for FareShare, said, "Their support helps get more fresh, good-to-eat food to people instead of letting it go to waste." What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
