Compass wins at waste2zero Awards

Compass Group UK & Ireland is celebrating after winning the “Best Closed Loop Project” and “Best Waste Reduction Technology Award” at Footprint’s waste2zero Awards, last week. These acknowledgements recognise excellence in waste management and prevention, with Compass being recognised for two innovative initiatives across its sectors.  

Chartwells Universities was awarded “Best Waste Reduction Technology Award” for implementing its ‘Ultimate Convenience’ model, powered by a new Uni Food app - digitising the ordering process, with a cook to order mantra which reduces food waste, alongside direct engagement with students to offer information about sustainability.

Kerry Ford, MD for Chartwells Universities commented: “Our new digital-led Ultimate Convenience operating model from Chartwells Universities has fundamentally revolutionised University catering, transforming the communication and relationship between students and caterers, driving sustainability both operationally and educationally. Within the first four months of use at Brunel University, this enabled a significant reduction in food waste – 43% YoY saving 5,206 CO2-e (Kg) in one university alone, equivalent to 464.82 days electricity for one household.”

The waste2zero award judges noted of the award entry: “A truly impressive project that required the development of a completely new business model. This shows intelligent use of digital technology to help solve an issue, rather than just being gimmick. A great commercial and environmental success that also provides better contact and engagement with students.”

Compass Ireland was awarded “Best Closed Loop Project” for its collaboration with Hexafly. The bio-conversion technique takes Compass Ireland food waste, to break it down and create feed for fly larvae. This is turned into dried pellets producing a nutrient-dense insect protein, high in Omega 3 and calcium suitable for birds, reptiles and fish. Alternatively, the larvae can be converted to 'Hexafrass' a slow-release organic soil improver and fertiliser suitable for agriculture, horticulture and gardening.

Shay Kendrick, Culinary Director, Compass Ireland, said; “Our mission to achieve Climate Net Zero by 2030 has prompted the business to review pioneering 'closed-loop' recycling systems to help fight the food waste crisis. The principal objective of our work with Hexafly is to reduce the amount of food waste that goes to landfill and instead, use it to sustain and strengthen the production capabilities of farmers and food producers within our supply chain. Working with Hexafly represents a promising step towards overcoming this huge challenge and we look forward to expanding the reach of this project over the coming years."

Compass Group UK & Ireland was also highly commended for its Stop Food Waste Day campaign, in the category of “Best Waste Project Communication & Engagement Award”, plus alongside its procurement arm, Foodbuy, for the “Food Redistribution Award”.

Tackling food waste is an important part of Compass’ Climate Net Zero by 2030 ambition, which includes a commitment to halve food waste.