Innovation

Del's Pastry has implemented several innovative solutions to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and create a better world. One of their key initiatives is their partnership with "The Carbon Neutral Club," a company that monitors their carbon emissions and helps set goals for reducing them. This partnership allows Del's Pastry to track their environmental impact and work towards becoming carbon neutral.

In terms of packaging materials, Del's Pastry has made significant strides in reducing their environmental footprint. "It's 100% recyclable, PT-1" - Said Tom Mattes the Chief Operating Officer of Del's Pastry. Their packaging is 100% recycled and recyclable, specifically using PT-1 material, which is the same as water bottles. This ensures that consumers can easily recycle the clamshell packaging that their products come in.

In terms of energy consumption, Del's Pastry recognizes the importance of energy efficiency. Although they need to power their equipment for production, they are actively exploring ways to reduce energy consumption in their pastry production plant. While specific strategies are not mentioned in the context, they are committed to finding ways to minimize energy usage.

Del's Pastry also demonstrates a commitment to social sustainability by providing employment and training opportunities for marginalized communities. "We hire entry level, we will take newcomers.. you don't need Canada experience and we will train you" said Jocelyn Faintuck, the Human Resources Manager. They hire entry-level positions and actively recruit newcomers to Canada, offering training and development programs. They have partnerships with organizations like the Learning Enrichment Foundation, Guelph, Lambton College, and George Brown to provide opportunities for students and individuals from marginalized backgrounds. "We hired 10 foreign workers, nine of them officially will have started by December 4th" said Jocelyn.

Overall, Del's Pastry's innovative solutions and initiatives align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the areas of affordable and clean energy, clean water and sanitation, decent work and economic growth, and responsible consumption and production. They are actively working towards reducing their environmental impact, supporting marginalized communities, and giving back to the community through their charitable efforts.

Inspiration

The leader of Del's Pastry, inspired by a deep commitment to environmental responsibility, embarked on a transformative journey to innovate the company's practices. Motivated by a profound awareness of the ecological challenges posed by excessive plastic usage, the leader recognized the urgent need for change within the pastry production industry. This recognition prompted a strategic partnership with "The Carbon Neutral Club," an initiative dedicated to monitoring and reducing carbon emissions.

With a forward-thinking approach, the leader prioritized sustainable packaging solutions, ensuring that all products are packaged in 100% recycled and recyclable materials (PT-1). The commitment to environmental conservation extended beyond packaging to the incorporation of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, with a targeted increase to 25% by 2025. Despite challenges in consumer willingness to pay more for recycled materials, the leader remained resolute in the pursuit of a more sustainable future.

This innovative leader, driven by a holistic understanding of sustainability, instilled a culture of health and safety within the company. From implementing stringent Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) to providing on-site COVID testing for employees, the leader prioritized both the well-being of the workforce and the planet.

In shaping the company's long-term sustainability goals, the leader envisioned a future where Del's Pastry would not only achieve carbon neutrality but actively contribute to reducing its environmental footprint. The commitment to waste reduction, energy efficiency, and becoming a paperless operation reflected the leader's dedication to pioneering positive change within the industry. This visionary leader's inspiration emanates from a profound belief that businesses can be powerful agents of positive environmental and social impact, fostering a legacy of responsible corporate stewardship.

Overall impact

Del's Pastry has implemented several measures to reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainability. In the short term, they have partnered with "The Carbon Neutral Club" to monitor their carbon emissions and set goals for reducing them. They are also using 100% recycled and recyclable packaging materials for their products. However, they have not yet implemented the use of post-consumer recycled materials, but they have set a target of reaching 25% by 2025.

In terms of community outreach, Del's Pastry donates their unsold products to food banks in Toronto on a monthly basis, providing support to those in need "We donate to food banks all over the city of Toronto" says Jocelyn. They have also partnered with organizations like the Learning Enrichment Foundation, Guelph, Lambton College, and George Brown to provide employment and training opportunities for marginalized communities, including newcomers to Canada.

These initiatives have both short-term and long-term effects. In the short term, they contribute to reducing the company's environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices. They also provide immediate support to marginalized communities through employment and training opportunities. In the long term, these efforts aim to make Del's Pastry carbon neutral and further reduce their environmental footprint. They also contribute to the long-term economic growth and empowerment of marginalized communities.

Business benefit

Because of all the innovations Del's Pastry has implemented, there has been much benefit for them as well.

Del's has managed to increase employees hired, and increase their retention by keeping their employees happy and hiring from marginalized communities in Toronto as well as foreign workers. The employees recognize the opportunities that are given to them and strive to continue working hard. Del's also makes sure to hire both female and male workers in order to retain gender diversity in the production facility and the office. 50% of employees and female and 50% of employees are male.

Since Del's strives to be sustainable, much of their branding, including on their website - use words such as sustainable and recyclable. Because of this, consumers can easily check out if the company of the product they want to purchase follows the same ethical practices they follow. Many consumers won't even consider purchasing a product due to the company that sells them not aligning with initiatives they would want to hear from them.

Del's has benefited significantly from using these innovations and will continue to benefit further when reaching their post-consumer recycled materials target.

Social and environmental benefit

These business innovations benefit both society and the environment significantly.

Due to Del's role in hiring from marginalized communities, and newcomers in Canada, they have created opportunities for the less fortunate and have established themselves as having a positive impact in that sector of society. Del's also donates much of their product to food banks in Toronto on a monthly basis. Some of this product could easily be sold for a profit, but they are donated instead.

Del's Pastry also benefits the environment in terms of their industry as they have implemented several measures that have helped reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainability. Their products are 100% recyclable and aim to be 100% recycled in the production facility. They also work to reduce power usage and use as little power possible in terms of running a production facility.

Interview

Tom Mattes and Jocelyn Faintuck, Vice President Operations at Del's Pastry Limited and Human Resources Manager at Del's Pastry Limited