Sustainable Baking Moves to the Forefront

Sustainability has risen in popularity faster than a well-proofed sourdough. Once a small segment of the market, this trend is now a central focus in the bakery and food industries, with the potential to revolutionize everything from sourcing ingredients to packaging and energy use. For bakers, committing to sustainable practices is vital for keeping up with consumer demands. Moreover, it’s a part of crafting a future where the industry can thrive without compromising the health of the planet. Find out how your bakery can improve its sustainability practices!

Eco-friendly Baking in Bloom

Consumers are increasingly focused on the environmental footprint of the products they buy, and food is no exception. According to the Harvard Business Review, sustainability has become an essential indicator¹ of the intent to buy for today’s consumers. The baking industry, which has traditionally relied on resource-intensive ingredients and packaging, is now facing pressure to rise to this challenge.

In addition to consumer demand, government regulations are pushing for more transparency and environmental accountability. A prime example is the European Union’s Green Deal, which aims to make food systems sustainable by 2030 and includes stricter standards on carbon emissions and waste reduction. Bakers who embrace sustainability early will not only stay ahead of these regulations but also gain a competitive edge by showcasing their commitment to a greener future.

Bakery Sustainability Factors

Sustainability in baking can be broken down into several key areas, each offering unique opportunities to reduce the environmental footprint and meet consumer expectations:

1. Sourcing Ingredients: The environmental impact of ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, chia, and cacao can be significant. Commercial bakers can prioritize suppliers that focus on regenerative agriculture, organic farming, or fair-trade certification. For instance, choosing locally sourced or organically grown grains reduces transportation emissions and supports local farming economies.
2. Reducing Food Waste: According to the UN, food waste contributes to 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions³. In commercial baking, managing food waste efficiently can significantly reduce the impact. Some easy methods to employ this include repurposing ingredients, composting, or using imperfect produce.
3. Energy Efficiency: Ovens and other baking equipment are notorious for consuming large amounts of energy. Investing in energy-efficient ovens, LED lighting, and using off-peak hours for baking are simple yet effective ways to save both energy and costs. Implementing renewable energy sources, like solar panels, can also make a substantial difference.
4. Packaging: The baking industry uses extensive packaging, much of which is single-use plastic. Replacing plastic with compostable, recyclable, or reusable options is increasingly accessible. For instance, biodegradable parchment paper or reusable silicone molds can reduce waste while maintaining quality.

Why Bakers Should Get Involved in Sustainability

Today’s consumers are discerning; they’re looking beyond a product’s flavor and focusing on its story. When you “knead” to differentiate yourself from competitors, telling a story of sustainable practices can be a powerful motivator for customers, especially in a marketplace where eco-conscious choices are trending upward.

For bakers, adopting sustainable practices can lead to cost savings, enhance brand loyalty, and improve long-term resilience in a shifting regulatory landscape. Sustainable practices reduce energy costs, waste disposal fees, and the risk of supply chain disruptions, making your business more robust against global environmental changes.

How to Go Green In Your Bakery

1. Audit Your Ingredients: Start by reviewing your suppliers. Are they aligned with your sustainability goals? Switching to local, seasonal ingredients can reduce carbon emissions from transportation and connect your bakery with the local economy.
2. Minimize Food Waste: Conduct a weekly waste audit to see where most waste is occurring. Consider creative uses for surplus products —like turning day-old bread into croutons or pastries into new recipes. Or selling rejected products as feed. Tracking waste can reveal areas for improvement and potentially cut costs.
3. Invest in Energy-Efficient Equipment: From convection ovens to proofers,  or using efficient cleaning technology to minimize water usage, energy-efficient options can reduce electricity use significantly. Many industrial bakers report a 15-20% savings on energy costs² with newer, greener equipment.
4. Optimize Packaging: Explore options like compostable boxes, paper-based wraps, and reusable trays. Some bakeries have adopted a “bring-your-own-box” policy for repeat customers, cutting down on single-use packaging and engaging customers in sustainable practices.
5. Communicate Your Efforts: Don’t be shy about telling your sustainability story. Engage customers through social media, signage, or newsletters to show how you’re working toward a greener business. People enjoy supporting brands they feel aligned with, and transparency fosters that trust.

Baking a Better Future

Incorporating sustainability into your baking practices is a commitment to a brighter future. By sourcing responsibly, reducing waste, and making conscious choices around energy and packaging, bakers can lead the way toward a more sustainable food industry. So, roll up those sleeves, dust off your eco-friendly apron, and make sustainability the “bread and butter” of the baking industry.

Sources:

1. “Research: Consumers’ Sustainability Demands Are Rising.” Harvard Business Review, 18 Sept. 2023, hbr.org/2023/09/research-consumers-sustainability-demands-are-rising. 

2. Steven Meyers, Bastian Schmitt, Mae Chester-Jones, Barbara Sturm, “Energy efficiency, carbon emissions, and measures towards their improvement in the food and beverage sector for six European countries”, Energy, Volume 104, 2016, Pages 266-283, ISSN 0360-5442, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.03.117.

3. “Food loss and waste account for 8-10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions; cost USD 1 trillion annually” United Nations Climate Change, United Nations unfccc.int/news/food-loss-and-waste-account-for-8-10-of-annual-global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-cost-usd-1-trillion

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