Tyson Foods teams with WRI to develop environmental goals
As part of its commitment to sustainable food production, Tyson Foods has announced a collaboration with the World Resources Institute (WRI) to develop industry leading, science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) and outcome-based water conservation targets for its operations and the company’s supply chain.
As part of its commitment to sustainable food production, Tyson Foods has announced a collaboration with the World Resources Institute (WRI) to develop industry leading, science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) and outcome-based water conservation targets for its operations and the company’s supply chain.
“Sustainability is about thriving today and doing the right thing to thrive tomorrow,” said Justin Whitmore, who was recently hired as the company’s first chief sustainability officer. “We’re collaborating with WRI on aggressive and attainable goals rooted in science. These will give us the opportunity to reduce our environmental impact over time so we can benefit now, and other generations will benefit in the future.”
Tyson Foods currently measures and reports greenhouse gas emissions from sources it controls as well as indirect emissions from the energy it buys. Environmental targets designed with WRI will eventually involve collaborating with the company’s entire supply chain, including material and ingredient suppliers, and the farmers who raise and supply Tyson with chicken, turkey, cattle, and pigs.
The company also announced the release of its fiscal 2016 Sustainability Report, which is focused on five key areas: Healthier Animals, Healthier Communities, Healthier Environment, Healthier Food, and Healthier Workplace. Some highlights of the report include:
- Healthier Animals: Of the broiler chicks placed by Tyson Foods during fiscal 2016 in its entire supply chain, only 1.6% were treated on farms by veterinarians with antibiotics that are also used in human medicine.
- Healthier Communities: In 2016, Tyson made more than $12.5 million in cash and in-kind donations and provided more than 8.2 million pounds of food for hunger and disaster relief.
- Healthier Environment: In addition to the partnership with WRI, Tyson Foods has supported efforts by The Nature Conservancy’s Arkansas Chapter including a grant and volunteer support to help the chapter complete a significant stream bank restoration in the Oxbow section of the Kings River, monitor sediment reduction, and survey a tributary and plan its restoration.
- Healthier Food: More than 280 of Tyson Foods’ products meet specific school nutrition regulations for fat, sodium, and calorie content, while 31 products meet USDA’s “Smart Snacks in Schools” regulations and 122 products carry the Whole Grain Stamp from the Whole Grain Council.
- Healthier Workplace: In its fiscal year 2016, the company reduced its overall OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Recordable Incident Rate by 19.4%, ahead of its year-over-year goal of a 15% reduction.