A majority of Norwegian consumers do not think that food and grocery product manufacturers care about the environment, nor that they are concerned with reducing use of packaging. Consumers aged under 30 are the most doubtful.

 

This is evident from the results of a survey commissioned by Orkla and conducted by TNS Kantar. The survey shows that 34% of the Norwegian population agrees with the claim that "manufacturers of food and other grocery products do not care about the environment". Respondents aged under 30 are the most sceptical. Moreover, 52% of the population reply that food and grocery product manufacturers are not concerned with reducing use of packaging. As many as 50% think that consumers themselves do most for the environment, while just 2% reply that grocery product suppliers do the most. 

 

"This survey clearly shows that we have a way to go. We will continue our efforts to promote sustainability and will show that we are assuming our share of responsibility for the environment. As the leading branded consumer goods company in the Nordic region, we want to be a front runner in developing sustainable products," says Orkla President and CEO Peter A. Ruzicka. 

 

Two years ago, Ruzicka accepted the challenge from Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg of committing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. At a breakfast meeting at Sentralen in Oslo on Wednesday, which was also attended by the Prime Minister, he was able to present Orkla's environment and sustainability strategy up to 2025. Orkla's goals entail a gradual transition to renewable energy, a 50% reduction in food waste, increased resource recovery and ensuring that the packaging used is 100% recyclable. 

 

"For us at Orkla, it's a question of making sure that our branded consumer goods are produced with the interests of people, animals and the environment in mind, and that we are helping to promote a healthy, sustainable lifestyle," Peter Ruzicka says. 

 

He now wants to team up with other sectors of Norwegian business and industry in a collective mobilisation to support the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. At the breakfast meeting with the Prime Minister, he therefore invited 10 other companies to join Orkla in forming a sustainability team, to be kicked off during the Norway Cup youth soccer tournament later this summer. Prime Minister Erna Solberg, who has sent the sustainability ball over to a number of heads of state around the world, will lead the business sector team during the Norway Cup. 

 

Orkla is a leading supplier of branded consumer goods and concept solutions to the consumer, out-of-home and bakery markets in the Nordics, Baltics and selected markets in Central Europe and India. Orkla is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and its head office is in Oslo. In 2017, the Group had a turnover of NOK 40 billion, and approximately 18,000 employees as of 31 December 2017.

 

Orkla ASA

Oslo, 2 May 2018

 

Ref.

Group Director Corporate Communications and Corporate Affairs

Håkon Mageli

Tel.: +47 928 45 828

E-mail: hakon.mageli@orkla.no