Whether you've shopped with Kibsons before or not, you'll know of their blue boxes which are used to deliver all produce and products ordered by their customers. This is only one of their ways they continue to use sustainable practices in their mission to help the planet, and not harm it.
The eco-conscious company is paving the way as the leading name in 'UAE farm to fork' grocery delivery, and with consistent and key focus on environmentally friendly food systems and processes since 1980, Kibsons has continued to deliver when it comes to sustainable growing and online food delivery service.
They have managed to reshape the way consumers in the UAE shop for their food and encourage smarter thinking for a kinder, healthier planet, with their transparent sourcing and labelling information for the customer.
“We want to ensure our customers know where their food comes from, how it is handled and how we as a business are operating as sustainably as possible through our own processes, which we have been refining for the past 40 years as a UAE grown and family owned entity" - Kibsons CEO and Co-founder Halima Jumani.
Seven years since launching their renowned home delivery services, Kibsons has taken steps as part of its Kibsons Cares initiative to reduce its carbon footprint, and continues to improve its achievements towards their own environmental impact goals:
SOLAR: A 50% reduction in electricity use. Spanning over the Kibsons 13,000 metre facility, electricity consumption is reduced by 25% on average annually; with 50% in winter months.
WATER: 75% of water reused. The Kibsons water recycling plant is on track to recycle more than 75% of the water used to keep the demanding cold storage facility up and running. Did you know that by filtering and purifying the water utilised, Kibsons can save 1,000,000 gallons of water annually?
WASTE: 100% organic waste composted. Kibsons organic waste composting plant converts their biodegradable waste material into high-quality organic compost and contributes to reducing their carbon footprint towards landfills wherever possible - producing half a ton of recycled compost per month!
RECYCLE: 90% of plastic and paper is recycled by Kibsons. More than 90% of all plastic at the Kibsons facility is recycled.
Kibsons collects the delivery boxes back from customers’ homes, which are then sanitized at the facility and reused to prevent packaging wastage. Customers can request a pick-up of their boxes through the Kibsons app. Kibsons were the first company in the UAE to swap over to paper-based packaging and enable consumers to choose a ‘no packaging’ delivery option when they shop. Kibsons offer their customers the option of having their items packed in eco-friendly recyclable paper bags or packed without bags where possible.
To further prevent food waste, Kibsons offer an ‘ugly but tasty’ range of fruits and vegetables which allows customers to purchase imperfect or nearing-expiration produce at a discounted rate.
Aligning company goals with that of climate change challenges, Jumani continued: “Food systems contribute to one-third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Collectively as an industry in the region, we must work together to transform food systems towards net-zero emissions, a restoration of natural resources and also boosting resilience of the local sector. For Kibsons, this starts at ‘home’ and we will continue to educate our consumers on not just the benefits for themselves, but also our own processes to highlight what is possible for other regional entities, and that it is possible to do so at scale”