Azzurri Group achieves reduction in carbon emissions
The group achieved its target of using 100% widely recyclable takeaway packaging across its ASK Italian and Zizzi brands
Azzurri Group, the operator of ASK Italian, Zizzi and Coco di Mama, has achieved a reduction in carbon emissions, both in absolute terms and intensity reduction of 9.7% (tCO2e/ £1m turnover).
Along with a strong financial performance and the opening of additional restaurants, the group’s reduction in absolute emissions was primarily driven by strategic developments in the supply chain.
Meanwhile, Azzurri’s circular food waste initiative has continued to a “significant” improvement in waste management.
The initiative, which was launched in partnership with Bio Collectors, collects restaurant food waste in London and converts it into biogas and fertiliser to support wheat growth. The wheat is harvested by ADM Milling to make flour that’s used in 200 ASK Italian and Zizzi restaurants – creating a traceable, closed loop supply chain.
In addition, the group achieved its target of using 100% widely recyclable takeaway packaging across its ASK Italian and Zizzi brands, resulting in new purchasing guidelines for buyers and suppliers. The company has transitioned takeaway pasta bowls from recyclable plastic to paper-based packaging to eliminate 48 tonnes of plastic from its supply chain every year.
The Azzurri Group also improved food distribution, cutting over 140,000 food miles. ASK Italian and Zizzi have cut 75,000 food miles by partnering with Best Food, while Coco di Mama optimised its delivery strategy, saving 66,000 food miles.
Stephen Holmes, CEO of Azzurri Group, said: “The business made strong progress in 2023, measurably reducing our carbon intensity and absolute emissions while continuing to expand the restaurant portfolio. We’ve demonstrated our commitment to tackling food waste – one of the industry’s most challenging problems – by further enhancing our redistribution strategy to ensure food surpluses are supplied to those most in need.
“We’ve also worked hard to improve the circularity of our brands, launching our closed-loop food waste system which is an industry first. I am delighted with our accomplishments in 2023, and efforts are already well underway to ensure we go even further in the future.”
He added: “We remain fully committed to becoming net-zero across our operations and supply chains by 2040, to reduce food waste by 15% by 2030, and to ensure that all out-of-restaurant packaging is widely recyclable by 2025.”