Looking after our planet is vitally important and I feel passionately about it

Greenfox Bakery’s mission is not only to bring you beautiful, delicious cakes. It is to ensure that the way in which my cakes are made, distributed and marketed are with integrity, consciousness and with minimal harm to our environment.

I firmly believe in the phrase ‘do as you would be done by’ - treat others (including the planet) the same way you expect to be treated. That’s how I try to live my life, what I teach my daughter, and how I run my business.

My core business values include:

  • Acting with integrity at all times 

  • Promote collaboration over competition

  • Open and honest communication

  • Embrace change, new ideas and approaches

  • Continuously learning and improving

  • Inclusivity to all. Love has no labels, limits, race, gender or colour. 

I acknowledge the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic and environmental and ensure that all business decisions made take all three into consideration.

Scope

I achieved my aim to be a carbon neutral business by the end of 2023. I did this by assessing the carbon emissions that my cakes have, using the MyEmissions platform. I then examined my supply chain and sourced alternative ingredients with less CO2 impact (plant butter instead of dairy, for example). I then offset my unavoidable carbon emissions by investing in carbon sinks and donating to funds such as Project Seagrass, to ensure I am carbon neutral.

At the beginning of 2024 I reduced my emissions significantly (one recipe by 20%) by reducing dairy butter in my cake recipes, and by using more ingredients from the UK. 

In July 2024, solar panels were installed which provides me with clean energy throughout the year, but particularly in the extremely busy summer wedding season. There isn't enough data available yet to show how much this will have reduced my emissions (if there is any reduction, as I am already with Octopus using clean energy), but as soon as I have the data I can compare.

In 2025 I hope to further investigate my supply chain to understand where I can make more sustainable choices.

I hope to be investing in the necessary infrastructure in order to be net zero carbon by 2030. 

I drive an electric car which I use for all my cake deliveries.

I have a zero waste policy in my kitchen. All cake offcuts are used to make other products such as cake pops, for example. I try to buy only what I need and not to stockpile ingredients. 

I use 1% plastic in the production, storing and selling of cakes - this manifests in the form of plastic windows in ingredient packaging, for example. In 2025 I aim to be a completely plastic free business by further analysing my supply chain and making better choices where I can. I use biodegradable/compostable/recyclable packaging, made from plants or previously recycled materials. 

My energy is provided by 100% renewable energy sources. In 2024 solar panels were installed. I’ve also invested in a community solar park project (Ripple energy) in collaboration with my energy supplier - Octopus. The solar energy from our panels combined with the Ripple solar energy should add up to 80% of the electrical energy I use, which means I have more than enough green energy to power my business and our home.

I do not provide physical allergen information, I email this information to each client/venue instead. This saves paper/printing/shipping and more packaging to dispose of, and this helps to reduce my carbon footprint.

My supply chain is very important to me. I work very hard to ensure good quality producers who also align with my values. However, due to circumstances beyond my control, there may be disruption to this supply chain and so alternatives may need to be sourced in order to fulfil orders.

Sustainability Policy

In line with my purpose and values, and to ensure the best possible chance of achieving my objectives of being sustainable across the whole business, I am pledging to:

  • Integrate sustainability considerations in to all my business decisions

  • Work with other sustainable businesses as much as is possible

  • Ensure that my products and services are responsibly sourced

  • Comply to the highest possible standard with all applicable food hygiene legislation and guidance.

Practical steps:

  • Quarterly reviews of my supply chain to ensure I am working with the right suppliers, who fit with my sustainability standards 

  • Review business that I work with regularly to see if they have appropriate sustainability policies in place

  • Make clients and other suppliers aware of my sustainability policy and encourage them to adopt a similar sustainability management standards

  • Create a quarterly report to track my sustainability targets, to make sure I am maintaining carbon neutrality

  • Continue to comply with relevant food hygiene standards and other food based legislation

Legal Constraints:

  • I need to ensure I am registered with Richmond Council, which I am, and will comply with their health and safety inspections when the time comes.

As I am a sole trader, this policy only applied to me as I do not outsource any aspect of my business. This also means that I can quickly and effectively change aspects of the business as necessary in order to remain compliant with my sustainability policy.

I conduct all reviews including a large annual review of the business, to ensure all standards are met on a continuous basis and that I comply with my sustainability policy at all times.

Last updated Dec 2024