Sustainability
- 1. Introduction
Sustainability is one of the Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ core values, that includes the areas of quality, health, environment, ethical trade, and social responsibility. For the Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ production, purchasing and retail are founded out of respect for human rights and protection of the environment. Any abuse of human rights or violation of labor or environmental laws anywhere along the entire value chain, particularly at the growers’ end or by raw materials manufacturers, is unacceptable. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ cares about how to operate even better, more innovatively, and more progressively. We focus daily on creating new products and improving existing ones. Every year, we surprise our consumers with new, tasty, and exciting products, directly influencing the local food culture with award-worthy flavors. We have always believed that innovation and technological advancement are key to high-quality and efficient food production. We constantly upgrade our production and invest in state-of-the-art technology. Food is our passion, but the science and studies behind it are equally important. We train the next generation of food technologists by involving them in our practices and passing on our experiences. We collaborate daily with Estonia’s top chefs, whose recipes result in products enjoyed by thousands. We initiated the Meat Hackathon, pushing the boundaries of the food industry even further, valuing creativity. We have always been mindful in creating eco-friendly and environmentally considerate packaging. We do not engage in greenwashing but continuously seek real solutions on how to be responsible stewards of our planet. Many of our products are produced solely using green energy; we use eco-friendly gas-powered vehicles and invest in energy-efficient technology. From the field and production, all the way to when the product has reached customer, sustainability and corporate social responsibility remain a priority. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ believe that sustainability work and strong community engagement goes hand in hand with long-term profitability. Sustainability is a strategic priority and is integrated into all Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ´s operations. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ aims to develop the business with customers and long-term sustainability in focus. Customers and other stakeholders must feel secure and have confidence in Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ products and its business.
- 2. Roles and responsibilities
Each member of the Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ team is responsible for ensuring, within their area of responsibility, that work within Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ is conducted in accordance with these guidelines. This responsibility includes ensuring that sufficient competencies and resources are available. Each manager is responsible for communicating these guidelines to their employees. Each employee has a responsibility to act in accordance with this document. Suppliers and business partners must ensure that the products or services they provide fulfil all requirements stated in this Sustainable Production and Purchasing Policy.
- 3. Compliance with the Sustainable Production and Purchasing Policy
Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ warrants that the goods are manufactured, processed, and packaged in accordance with the requirements of this Sustainable Production and Purchasing Policy and all applicable national and international laws on the protection of people and the environment. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ is proactive and takes appropriate measures to prevent violations during the manufacturing, processing, and packaging of the products supplied. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ´s working practices for sustainability will be regularly reviewed and evaluated to ensure continual improvement.
- 4. Sustainability Requirements
- 4.1. Sustainability work
Through clear communication Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ provides a transparent account of the sustainability work. Sustainability work within Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ is wide-ranging and includes numerous activities and initiatives. Local conditions as a starting point, together with our customers, partners, and suppliers we will contribute to positive development in society and a strong food system across the entire food chain.
- 4.2. Food waste
Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ is engaged in several initiatives to reduce food waste throughout the entire production and retail chain. Preventive work plays a central role in reducing waste in Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ production and warehouses. We reduce food waste by adopting better purchasing, production and retail processes and analyzing the causes of food waste. We try to find the right production volumes and we work with assortment optimization. We lower the price of products that are nearing their best-before dates.
- 4.3. Health
Helping customers to feel good and inspiring them to adopt a healthy lifestyle are important roles played by Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ is active throughout the area of health – from prevention, care and remedies to guidance and inspiration for healthy living. Through products that address issues concerning additives, allergies, trends, and lifestyles, Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ can spread information and inspire customers to make conscious choices daily. This work is always based on official EU dietary guidelines and nutritional recommendations. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ supports several athletes and sports events through sponsorship. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ will actively contribute to improved public health by leveraging the strength of our entire organization. This is always based on a scientific approach and official recommendations from relevant authorities.
- 4.4. Quality assurance of product, services, and suppliers
We want to make sure our customers feel safe and secure with us. Quality and social responsibility are always guiding principles in our operations and our business relationships. We have competent employees, clear routines, and emphasis on traceability and control. Our products and services shall meet the demands for quality and safe handling made by us and those in the world around us, but also for work conditions and animal care. All products and services provided by Nõo Lihatööstus shall be safe and functional as well as being environmentally and ethically acceptable. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ encourage customers to adopt a healthy and sustainable lifestyle by offering an inspiring and accessible assortment of products and services that also takes into consideration customers with special needs. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ must comply with the legislation in force throughout their operations in the countries where they operate. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ’s requirements may go beyond what is set out in law. Suppliers and business partners must ensure that the products or services they provide fulfil these requirements. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ have relationships with suppliers and not with countries. We follow the EU’s and national government recommendations with respect to business relations with companies abroad.
- 4.5. Human rights
It is Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ’s firm conviction that all business must take place under fair and decent conditions. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ does not accept discrimination, child labor, forced labor, violation of the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, or any other failure to respect human rights. In all its operations and value chains Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ will use a risk-based approach to identify any risk of violation of human rights to then take appropriate action to minimize such risks. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ’s work is based on the European Convention on Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the core conventions of the International Labor Organization. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ’s suppliers of services and products are expected to meet the requirements set out in the above and must also themselves work to minimize the risk of violation of human rights in their value chains.
- 4.6. Environment and Climate
Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ work to achieve a continual decrease in the negative impact of our activities on the environment and climate. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ´s environmental and climate work is an integral part of investment decisions and daily operations. It involves defining material environmental aspects such as energy use, transport, and refrigerants, and continually improving these in a resource-efficient way. The environmental management system implemented at Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ encompasses, alongside economic efficiency, a focus on reducing environmental harm when making significant investments. It directs all employees to recognize the environmental impacts associated with their work. We’ve transitioned heating in the company premises to residual heat generated from production. Our product packaging utilizes environmentally friendly colors and materials sourced from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources. The sales representatives’ fleet has been replaced with gas-powered vehicles, resulting in a halved annual emission of CO₂, approximately 21 tons. We’ve introduced a new packaging film that reduces the need for plastic by around 20%. The container system has been updated, allowing empty crates to be stacked inside each other, eliminating the need to return them individually from each customer for washing, significantly reducing vehicle kilometers for transporting empty containers. We utilize reusable transport packaging at Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ, substantially reducing packaging waste, even in exports. In 2021, Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ was recognized with a sustainable company certification for exporting products using reusable and environmentally friendly pallets in collaboration with CHEP Estonia. We’ve minimized paper-based communication, transitioning to smart solutions, reducing departmental paper usage by up to 25%. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ´s work on climate aims to contribute to globally agreed climate targets, based on science. This includes consideration of the climate impact not just of our own operations, but also of our value chain through our relationships with suppliers and our customer offering. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ adheres to a food safety management system based on risk analysis, FSSC 22000 certification scheme standards, and relevant legislation, customer requirements, and other established norms. The FSSC 22000 food safety certificate has been in place at Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ since 2019. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ work continually to reduce our energy consumption and improve our energy efficiency. Production facility, warehouse, and office should maximize the use of renewable energy sources. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ seeks to achieve a continual decrease in the environmental impact of transport. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ´s ambition is to increase resource efficiency and the use of renewable fuels.
- 5. Business Ethics
- 5.1. Laws and ethical guidelines
In its operations, Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ shall comply with the laws and rules which apply to the operations such as applicable regulations, general guidelines, industry practices, generally accepted practices, and internal rules.
- 5.2. Anti-corruption and bribery
None of the Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ employee may use their position for personal and/or for a close relation’s gain at the cost of the company, cooperation partners or the customers. Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ does not tolerate any form of corruption, bribery, or unethical business practices. None of the Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ employee`s may provide, promise, or offer, or correspondingly receive, accept a promise of or request, bribes, or other improper benefits.
- 5.3. Conflicts of interest
Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ’s employees shall be independent in their decisions and inspire trust. All Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ employees shall be responsible for taking objective decisions and avoiding conflicts of interest between personal interests and the interests of the company.
- 5.4. Competition law
Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ shall comply with applicable competition laws.
- 5.5. Transparency and Whistleblowing Process
Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ shall fulfil society’s expectations regarding transparency and honesty. Employees must have the opportunity to report anonymously when they identify a violation of laws or inner rules.
- 5.6. Data privacy policy
Nõo Lihatööstus OÜ shall comply with applicable data privacy laws and further strive to follow EU guidelines, industry practices and any general best practices. The privacy policy can be found at the following address: https://noo.ee/privaatsuspoliitika/#lang
