Supporting our customers in reducing virgin plastic use, packaging waste and food waste
We believe in sustainability through quality.Our products are designed to be useful, durable and made with documented material choices and manufacturing improvements.As plastic is our main working material, we recognise the need to reduce our use of virgin plastic and improve resource efficiency while helping our customers do the same.The Science Based Targets initiative
As part of our commitment to sustainability, we’ve joined the Science Based Targets initiative, with approved targets guiding our progress each year.
In 2025, HL achieved its SBTi-validated Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions near-term reduction targets ahead of the 2030 target year. This milestone reflects years of work to reduce emissions across operations, materials and the wider value chain. Building on this achievement, we are preparing updated near-term targets aligned with our long-term net-zero ambition.
The Science Based Targets initiative independently assesses if corporate reduction targets are in-line with what is required to keep the rise of global warming below 1.5°C, based on the latest climate science according to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).
Sustainability in action
2025 marked a major milestone in HL's sustainability journey:
- Achieved SBTi-validated Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions reduction near-term targets ahead of the 2030 target year
- Awarded EcoVadis Gold, placing HL among the top-rated companies globally
- Achieved a B score in first-year CDP Climate Disclosure
- Sustainable Choice grew to 31% of total sales
- Increased externally sourced recycled plastic to 10.8% of total plastic consumption
- Continued expansion of renewable energy sourcing across operations
It takes two, baby – it takes me and you!
Materials represent the largest share of our climate footprint, making recycled content, circular design and supplier collaboration key levers in reducing emissions.
While reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our own operations is a priority for us, helping our customers reduce specific material and waste impacts is another part of moving retail forward.
From reducing virgin plastic to cutting food waste, we’re here to support you every step of the way. You don’t have to do it alone, and we can’t transform the retail industry without partnering with you.
We can help you:
Reduce the use of virgin plastic
Our range offers solutions made from recycled plastic and other documented material alternatives. We’ve also closed the loop on plastic by collecting old datastrips and dividers from stores and recycling them into new products, reducing waste and reliance on virgin materials.
Reduce packaging waste
With our packaging-free merchandising solutions, you can create the perfect display for unpackaged goods in your store. Backed by over 20 years of expertise in this area, our team provides insights, tips, and design guidance to help you make the most of it. We also offer a range of solutions for the loose merchandising of fresh produce.
Reduce food waste
A significant portion of food waste in stores comes from the fresh produce department. Our Sigma™ merchandising solution for chillers helps create abundant fresh produce displays with less inventory lost to shrink – supporting both sustainability and profitability.
Sustainable Choice and Circular Offer
Our ability to retrieve, recycle and produce solutions supports a more circular use of materials.
We offer selected merchandising solutions made from renewable or recycled materials, giving stores more alternatives to conventional plastic. We’re continually expanding the selection to support the transition to recycled and renewable materials.
With our Circular Offer, we retrieve old datastrips and dividers from stores, recycle them and turn them into new products. This reduces waste and the need for virgin materials.
Our accreditations
Talk is cheap – we prefer action. With certifications like ISO 9001 and EcoVadis ratings, we hold ourselves to the highest standards and continually raise the bar. Through certified management systems and policies for quality, work and conduct, we can make sure we provide the highest safety standards in production and minimise waste generation.
ISO
Our continuous improvement of operations and environmental and quality management in our factories are guided by internationally recognised standards. Our established manufacturing sites and their respective RDCs are certified to ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 14001 standards. All Regional Distribution Centres are ISO certified according to all three standards. The newly acquired factories are not certified. HL is fully compliant with REACH, the EU’s chemical legislation, and we require suppliers to sign a written undertaking regarding REACH.
ECOVADIS
As part of our commitment to society, our people and the environment, HL completes a thorough assessment of our business sustainability practices every year through EcoVadis, the global standard for business sustainability ratings.
Learn more about how we take Corporate Social Responsibility
ESG – easy as 1,2,3? Corporate responsibility consists of more than environmental responsibility. It’s about building something that lasts, with care, fairness and integrity.
We focus on four key areas that reflect our values and ambitions:
- Helping customers create more sustainable stores
- Creating the best workplace
- Driving continuous improvement in operations
- Ensuring responsibility throughout the supply chain
We invite you to read more about how we make efforts to make a difference.
Full report
Sustainability Progress Report 2025
Corporate responsibility at HL
Read more about our work
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