Sustainability – Preston Foods – Production and Packing Facility

Sustainability

We’re not your average meat producer. Being sustainable in every way is a high priority for us. Business success is not just about what you do, but how you do it. That’s why we prioritise and value sustainable partnerships with both our suppliers and customers, right from the farm, to our transport and to consumers.

PROTECTING OUR OZONE LAYER WITH MINDFUL REFRIGERATION

We have invested a significant amount into our Preston Foods production facility, boasting 1000m2 of real estate kitted out with modern machinery built to keep up with the demands of the business while reducing our environmental impacts.

Our new CO2 sustainable refrigeration has low GWP 1 (Global Warming Potential) – the lowest possible for refrigeration. This means it has minimal impact on global warming if released into the atmosphere, as opposed to 404a refrigerant gases which contribute to ozone depletion and global warming. Unlike synthetic refrigerants that require extensive manufacturing processes, CO2 is a natural refrigerant that has no adverse environmental effects during itsuse. It operates in a cycle process and is not released or emitted. It has no additional contribution to the greenhouse effect (GWP = 1), andno contribution to the destruction of the ozone layer (ODP= 0), has zero ozone depletion.

We have introduced a regular maintenance schedule to ensure there are no unplanned emissions or inefficient energy usage.

70% of our Transportation is with an eco-friendly partner

Our sister company KAM Transport is our main transport provider. It’s the only transport company of its kind in NZ to currently hold a Toitū enviromark gold certification. Their eco-friendly fleet contains modern technology, providing efficient driver behaviour reports and C02 emissions reports.

KAM implemented a policy to increase the loads on their trucks, making fewer trips in an active effort to reduce the carbon emissions.

The Result – 16 % reduction in C02 Emissions

KAM provides us with ongoing utilistion reports and uses Scania Driver Performance Monitoring, enabling us to see results on their efforts to reduce carbon emissions. This reassures our communities that every trip made by a KAM truck carrying Preston’s product is reducing carbon emissions.

Water – a precious resource

Water is precious and we take our role as kaitiaki seriously. We believe that investing in new technology is investing in New Zealand’s future.

Our previous packaging machines would pump water out as waste. Our new thermoformer packaging machine recirculates the water that cools the machine and has used just 20 litres of water in total since it was installed in December 2024.

Green Gold Finalists

We were named one of the finalists in the 2025 Gold Awards in the Green Gold Sustainability Category in recognition of our sustainable business practices.

Converting our fleet

We replaced 2 vehicles in our small fleet with Hybrid vehicles and have implemented a policy that all new vehicles going forward will be hybrid or electric.

Recycling partnerships

We recycled 28,201kg of cardboard and 94kg of film in the last year. We use less packaging by re-using cartons and reducing strapping where practical.

Energy efficient

We increased production efficiency to reduce the number of days our production facility operates, reducing electricity consumption & food and water waste.

Reducing Food Waste

We ensure we maximise yield and utilise the whole product, repurposing potential waste and keeping it out of landfills and reducing emissions.

Eco-friendly lighting

We replaced lightbulbs with EcoPoint Tri Proof light fittings in our office and factory areas, with signs reminding people to turn them off when not in use.