As an organisation, Bunzl is always looking for ways to create a sustainable future for us and all those who follow. By collaborating with leading companies across sectors to find more sustainable solutions and source better alternatives where possible, the Sustainability Ambassador Program ensures that sustainability goals are being prioritised at all our branches.
We spoke with Bunzl New Zealand’s Sustainability Ambassador Meredith Low from our Christchurch branch to discuss why she chose to become apart of the program and the importance of sustainability in the Processor & Industry (P&I) sector.
Why did you volunteer to become a Sustainability Ambassador?
I volunteered because a lot of my customers were talking about sustainable solutions for their sites and I wanted to understand what sustainability meant and to drive discussion within the New Zealand team.
Do you have any personal goals when it comes to sustainability in your industry?
Some personal goals I have when it comes to sustainability is to educate and support my customers with what sustainability looks like for them. It’s a very generic word and can mean something different to each person. Different areas can include reducing waste to landfill, avoiding plastics, human rights or climate change.
I want to ensure they are aware of what’s available to them in this changing environment, and I know how to support them with my knowledge and product alternatives. This helps them know that we are on this journey with them and make sure they don’t feel overwhelmed with both new legislation or company sustainability requirements.
What are you most excited to work with your customers about in the sustainability space?
The most exciting and empowering part of sustainability to me is Bunzl’s ethical sourcing and modern slavery policy – which is part of our human rights global supply chain process. Through responsible sourcing, supporting ethical supply and quality assurance, Bunzl ensures that we source from accredited, audited and compliant factories, backed by stringent in-house quality assurance and quality control processes. This also includes reviews and corrective action processes. This is a discussion I always have with my customers.
With customers having all kinds of end-goals in mind for sustainability, it’s exciting that we can support these on different levels. It’s an ongoing forever changing landscape and journey.
Is there anything that you’d like to see more of when it comes to sustainability in your industry?
Within my industry, we have products that can be biodegradable, but only in the correct environment or facility. It would be good to see New Zealand creating facilities that can manage these biodegradable products to achieve a green or supported end-of-life.
What changes do you find most exciting surrounding sustainability in your space?
It is exciting to see Bunzl take the lead with creating the Sustainability Ambassador Program and have amazing people at the helm like Bunzl ANZ’s Head of Sustainability Felicity Kelly, who are able to drive better practices within our industry and company. Through our Sustainability Ambassador Program we are able to share knowledge, efficiency and cross business opportunities, to an ever evolving space.
