Mon 1st Mar 2021 - Burger King UK outlines pledge to ‘build back better’ post-pandemic Burger King UK outlines pledge to ‘build back better’ post-pandemic: Burger King UK has set out its roadmap on sustainability, food quality and ethics in a new charter launched entitled “Burger King for Good”. The charter will highlight the culmination of “many years’ dedication” to a number of programmes across the business to improve Burger King UK’s sustainability credentials and its commitment to develop its food strategy, as well as its initiatives to champion diversity and inclusivity across the business. Among the sustainability targets set out are goals to reach 100% recycled or certified packaging by 2025, 0% single-use plastic by 2025 and adoption of WRAP’s food waste roadmap. Burger King will also focus on sustainably sourced commodities including soy, palm oil, tea, coffee, timber and paper, “in a bid to minimise the negative social and environmental impacts of its operational footprint”. It said the principles are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to end poverty, protect the planet and increase prosperity for all. Burger King said Burger King for Good has been “founded on the core principles of the company”; the belief that “as well as being tasty, affordable and accessible, Burger King food should be good for the planet, for those involved in producing and making it, those who serve it and for guests and communities as a whole”. As a major purchaser of meat products, animal welfare is also a key commitment outlined in the charter. All of Burger King UK beef is British and Irish, and is reared and produced to the British Quality Beef standard and Irish Beef Standard. Employee commitments have been set out as a key priority, with Burger King UK vowing to ensure it is a “company for everyone”, valuing the contribution people with diversity, skills and expertise can make to all parts of the business, including supply chains. Burger King UK chief executive Alasdair Murdoch said: “Now, more than ever, we believe fresh good-quality food is vital to the quality of our lives and the health of our planet. Being good to the planet, our people and guests is central to our values at Burger King UK, and despite the challenges faced by the pandemic, I believe this crisis has given us an opportunity to ‘build back better’ and drive through our company values, which are integral to sustaining our business for the future. The underlying aim of the Burger King for Good initiative is to be transparent, be accountable and work with others to ensure our business decisions are well informed and sound.” The company said it hopes to be able to contribute to “rebuilding a thriving and more resilient economy” and has set out how it will develop its food strategy with its suppliers, employees and other industry partners.