ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
SUBWAY® stores are best known for our commitment to providing fresh ingredients and food alternatives to our customers. Behind the scenes, we have been working diligently to improve the sustainability of our products and operations. In fact, we are on a journey to make our stores and operations as environmentally and socially responsible as possible, and to help improve the health of the planet at the same time.
- Globally, the plants and distribution centres that we use have been strategically located to significantly reduce transportation costs, fuel usage and carbon emissions. In the UK alone, we have cut road miles by over 400,000 by adding new depots to the distribution network for food and produce, and bringing them closer to stores
Over the last few years, we have switched to products and business practices that use less energy and resources, generate less waste and we are working on other initiatives. Some highlights include:
- Improved the sustainability of the packaging and paper products used in our stores; many items now contain recycled material and can be recycled (where facilities exist)
- Improved the energy efficiency of the equipment and lighting used in our stores
- Low flow taps are standard in all new stores to help conserve water
- Optimised how our ingredients are packaged which has removed at least 650 tonnes of cardboard from our waste stream each year
- Cleaning chemicals (with the exception of the sanitizer) are non-toxic, non-corrosive and are biodegradable.
Efficient In-store Operations
Efficient In-store Operations
SUBWAY® stores are individually owned and are operated by independent franchisees. Working with the non-profit, franchisee owned, European Independent Purchasing Company (EIPC Ltd) we strive to provide our franchisees with the best solutions to help them improve their operations focusing on energy efficiency, resource conservation, waste reduction and food safety (see Sustainable Sourcing).
- Energy
- Water
- Waste
- Packaging
Energy Efficiency
By design and the nature of our product offering, our operations are fairly energy efficient but as energy costs continue to rise, it is important to improve the energy efficiency of our stores. For instance:
- Lighting and electronic signage are important components of our stores. Over the past few years, we have been improving their energy efficiency. We have altered our décor requirements and now all new stores use high efficiency lighting and LED interior and window signage. Also, LED exterior signage options are available for franchisees. In the near future, LED lighting for the sandwich counter will be standard in all new stores
- Our standard equipment for new stores includes energy efficient digital ovens and HVAC (heating, ventilating and cooling) systems as well as ice machines, refrigerated back counters and reach in coolers and freezers
- In Europe, one of our oven proofer models is now manufactured with a new low-voltage lighting system resulting in increased lamp life and a reduction in energy consumption
- One of the back counter chillers used in the UK and Ireland uses hydrocarbon as a refrigerant which saves up to 13% more energy than existing products
- We are in the process of piloting the use of additional energy saving equipment, features and processes such as LED interior lighting
Water Conservation
Water Conservation
Many regions around the world are beginning to experience varying degrees of water stress due to increases in population, weather pattern changes or inadequate water management infrastructure that can result in insufficient supply of safe drinking water. We recognise how important it is to conserve water and use it wisely.
In 2010, we worked with our pickle and pepper suppliers in Europe to reduce the amount of brine. This means we can ship 29% more product in the same amount of packaging, saving around 47,000 cardboard boxes per year. It also reduces road miles as we ship the same amount of product in fewer trucks.
Waste Reduction
Waste Reduction
We are working on ways to reduce our waste stream with a goal of having as close to zero waste to landfill as possible.
Stores can use recycling bins and are also required to maintain a litter free environment.
We have worked with our suppliers to optimise how our products are packaged to reduce waste streams for breads, meats, cheeses, sauces, produce, paper products and cleaning products used in our stores. For example:
- In 2009, we moved from cans to pouches for our tuna, which require less energy to package and transport. This change is estimated to have saved 374 tonnes of cardboard and taken 118 trucks off the road across Europe each year since it was introduced.
- In 2010, we increased the number of white bread sticks in a box from 75 to 80, without increasing the size of the box. It's estimated that this change will save 55 tonnes of cardboard, two tonnes of plastic and remove 76 trucks from the roads across Europe each year.
- Today, franchisees have the option to portion some ingredients using a reusable scoop. This process eliminates the need to pre-prepare portions in paper food trays and removes additional packaging from our waste stream.
Other sustainable practices used in the UK and Ireland stores include:
- Furniture is not manufactured with or does not contain ozone depleting substances
- Cleaning supplies used in our stores (with the exception of the sanitizer) are non toxic & non corrosive. The cleaning products are concentrated with a dosage control to reduce packaging waste and are manufactured without phosphates, NPEs and APEs to ensure biodegradability. Their packaging contains recycled material and can be recycled
Packaging
Packaging
Our goal is to only use packaging that can be recycled or composted where facilities exist.
Over the past four years, we have been working very hard to improve the sustainability of our packaging and to eliminate unnecessary packaging wherever possible. We continue to look for ways to increase the recycled content, recyclability, degradability and compostability of our packaging where feasible and cost effective. We have redesigned items to be more multi-functional, to be made with more sustainable materials and/or with less material.
The majority of our paper packaging is made with recycled content and can be recycled (where facilities exist)
- Napkins are made from 100% recycled fibre with a minimum of 40% post-consumer content and are processed chlorine-free. They are printed with water-based inks
- Sandwich wrap contains 30-40% recycled material
Specialty bags contain 50% recycled material- Plastic salad bowls were redesigned to remove plastic from our waste stream. Currently the salad bowl and lid are made from 25% recycled material and are recyclable where facilities exist
- Sandwich platters are made from 50% post-consumer recycled material and are recyclable
We believe that the most sustainable practice is to reduce "single-use" packaging where feasible. Our franchisees have the option to serve their dine-in guests with a reusable basket lined with deli paper. This approach minimises the associated waste stream and improves the meal presentation.
To further reduce bag usage, stores have the option of using a sticker to individually wrapped subs for takeaway which eliminates the need for a bag.
Through other sustainable packaging solutions put in place in the UK and Ireland, we have moved:
- From polystyrene to paper in the bowls used for soup and meatballs. The paper used in the production of the bowls comes from Sustainable Forestry Initiative Certified suppliers
- From a triple-wall to a double-wall hot cup, which is estimated to save 30 tonnes of pulp per year across Europe. It also takes approximately 25% less energy to produce
- To a pulp moulded four-cup carrier made with 100% recycled content, which is also fully recyclable
- To more sustainable marketing material (where feasible and cost effective)