B Corp Month: At Fresh Prep — We Go Beyond
Happy B Corp Month! Here’s how we’ve been working towards our vision of a truly sustainable business and a healthier planet.
Planet vs. Plastic
Plastic waste is a mounting environmental issue in Canada, where over 3 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated every year, according to Statistics Canada. Shockingly, only about 9% of this waste is recycled, meaning a significant amount ends up in landfills, the environment, and even the oceans, threatening the health of wildlife, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Unfortunately, Canada is a disproportionately large contributor to the growing plastic disaster. Although Canadians make up less than 0.5 percent of the global population, we use 1.4 per cent of all plastic produced.
Tackling the problem head on
At Fresh Prep, we believe in taking responsibility for our environmental impact. We’re committed to tackling the problem of plastic waste in Canada, while actively reducing our carbon footprint as well.
We created our patented Zero Waste Kits to help tackle the plastic waste issue experienced by many meal kit customers and provide a more user friendly, and convenient meal kit experience. Our pre-portioned ingredients come in reusable containers which also double as measuring cups and can simply be rinsed out after use and returned to us when your next order arrives.
Another way we’re addressing the issue of waste is by using our distinct Fresh Prep black cooler bags instead of cardboard boxes to deliver our recipe ingredients to customers’ homes each week. Not only do the cooler bags work better at keeping our ingredients fresh, but they also help preserve trees.
We’re proud to say that every Zero Waste Kit helps prevent approximately 19 g of plastic from entering the waste stream. With 819,303 recipes delivered in Zero Waste Kits last year alone, we were able to prevent 15,560 kgs of single-use plastics from being used. Now, we’re working to grow this impact, increasing the number of recipes that come in Zero Waste Kits to about 60% of our weekly selection.
But we don’t stop there. Through our partnership with Urban Impact, we were able to divert 284,318 kg of single-use plastic waste from landfills in 2022. This partnership ensures that any single-use plastics included in our meal kits can be returned and responsibly recycled. All our customers have to do is put their plastic wrapping and packaging back into their reusable cooler bag to be picked up by our drivers.
We’re proud to say that in total, Fresh Prep diverted 299,878 kg of plastic waste from landfills in 2022.
Bringing sustainability to the table
By using Fresh Prep, customers are communicating they care about the legacy they leave behind, and the impact they have on the natural world. We source our ingredients locally whenever possible, which reduces transportation. Our recipes also encourage customers to use reusable containers for ingredient storage.
While we’re proud of the progress we’ve made so far, there’s still much work to be done, and we’re committed to finding more innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact. We believe that by taking small steps in our daily lives, we can all make a significant impact on the plastic waste issue in Canada.
But Fresh Prep is just one business, and we need more businesses to take action on plastic waste if we are to truly tackle this issue. Some ideas include reducing single-use plastics in packaging, using compostable or biodegradable packaging, implementing a recycling program, and investing in sustainable materials.
As consumers, we can also do our part to reduce plastic waste by supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability, reduce our own plastic use, and advocate for government action on plastic waste. By working together, we can make a real difference in reducing plastic waste and creating a more sustainable future.
A better world—one meal kit at a time.
It’s not news that the plastic waste issue in Canada is a serious problem, but we’re committed to being part of the solution. By using Fresh Prep, our customers are not only enjoying delicious and healthy meals, but they’re also making a positive impact on the environment. We encourage everyone to take action and do their part in reducing plastic waste. Together, we can make a difference.
