In 2024, Dawn Meats increased mono plastic MAP tray usage to 92% and padded tray lines to 91%, surpassing packaging milestone targets by 22% and 8%, respectively.
In 2024, Dawn Meats advanced its sustainable packaging strategy, increasing the percentage of MAP trays using mono plastic with glue from 88% in 2023 to 92%, surpassing its milestone target by 22%. While some tray formats remain unchanged due to complex designs, Dawn Meats continues to collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to explore further opportunities for conversion. The company remains focused on increasing the overall percentage of trays using the mono with glue solution, despite technical limitations in certain formats.
Further progress was made in reducing non-recyclable components, with the percentage of product lines in padded MAP trays rising from 79% in 2023 to 91%, exceeding the milestone of 83%. This shift enabled the removal of an estimated 1.9 tonnes of absorbent pads from the supply chain, allowing previously unrecyclable trays to be recycled.
Dawn Meats also maintained its high standard in sustainable sourcing, with 98% of cardboard packaging FSC-certified in 2024, well above the milestone of 85%. This achievement was sustained alongside the acquisition of Kildare Chilling in April 2024, which introduced new suppliers into the group. The company is actively working with these suppliers to support their transition to FSC certification.
The average recycled content of rigid plastic trays was maintained at 80%, meeting the company's milestone target. Dawn Meats continues to monitor the availability of high-quality recycled material, recognising the challenges posed by increased demand.
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