Bunzl Catering Supplies has been donating goods to, and supporting, In Kind Direct for more than 20 years. Two recent donations from the business have pushed the estimated donation value from Bunzl catering Supplies to In Kind Direct to £1,049,000 – that’s over 1 million pounds. And for the wider Bunzl group the estimated contribution figure is now 3.6 million pounds.

Founded in 1996 by HRH The Prince of Wales, In Kind Direct distributes consumer goods, donated by companies, to UK charities working in the UK and overseas. In Kind Direct work with not-for-profit organisations and companies to help ensure that everyone has access to life’s essentials and that no usable product goes to waste.

An early adopter of In Kind Directs’ product giving model, Bunzl Catering Supplies recognises the powerful social impact its donations of surplus stock make, and the benefits to its business, employees and customers. Working with In Kind Direct enables companies to make a difference to the lives of millions of disadvantaged people who cannot afford the everyday essentials many of us take for granted.

Supporting local and international charities is a key part of Bunzl Catering Supplies’ Sustainable Future programme, recognising collaboration and innovation that has a positive impact on the way we deal with waste in our business and in the wider catering and hospitality industry.

The Bunzl Catering Supplies Sustainable Future report 2019 forms a key part of the business’s communication strategy and is underpinned by its long-term objectives to deliver Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, providing a clear and measurable path for continual environmental.

As part of its Sustainable Future programme, the business recognises giving for social good and its importance, value to society, benefits to business and potential for the future. Bunzl Catering Supplies has integrated product giving into its supply chain to ensure quality products do not go to waste whilst also supporting thousands of people in communities across the UK.

Justin Turquet, Head of Sustainability, Bunzl Catering & Hospitality Division says: “Our Sustainable Future Programme provides the business with a clear communication strategy for sustainability and social responsibility aligned to four pillars: people, customers, suppliers and sustainability. It’s vitally important that we continue to lead dialogue and share best practice in an environment of legislative change and complexity. We will continue to identify opportunities to support In Kind Direct, to create positive, long-term, social impact. We would encourage other businesses to consider donating products to In Kind Direct and to investigate how they might integrate product giving into their corporate responsibility and sustainability programmes.”