Asda creates sustainability network for suppliers

The grocer has partnered with sustainable business network 2degrees to help increase water, energy and waste efficiency in its supply chains.

The online community will host and manage the Asda Sustain & Save Exchange, an online portal where suppliers can share best practices, ask questions and suggest collaboration.

Asda recently released a report entitled Green Is Normal - as part of its Sustainability 2.0 strategy - which said Asda customers are demanding sustainable products at no extra cost.

The report also found that products that are more energy, waste and water efficient were demanded more by lower income households than higher income households.

Asda corporate responsibility and external affairs director Paul Kelly said: “Sustainability isn’t a bolt-on or stand alone element of people’s lives – it’s simply part of them. It’s not something [customers] are thinking about getting round to – it’s as normal as having a cup of tea.”

The retailer hopes the move will redefine relationships between suppliers, with the potential for shared buying, logistics and category information.

Ian Bowles, group head of sustainability at Asda supplier Premier Foods, said: “We’ve been involved in a number of these initiatives with 2degrees, and the way they have set this up gives me a lot of confidence that it will help us to make progress.”