The need for organisations to address sustainability issues is fast becoming business critical, with consumer demand for more sustainable products growing year on year.
For the past twelve years, the NSW sugar industry has been an active participant in Bonsucro certification, the world’s largest voluntary sustainability standard certifier of sugarcane. Bonsucro sets out a definition of what sustainable sugarcane production should look like, providing a comprehensive metric tool for sustainable farming and milling.
Under the obligations of the Bonsucro platform, regular audits are undertaken across the farming, milling and refinery operations.
Sunshine Sugar and its growers have just completed another successful series of audits, with all three mills, the refinery and 100 % of growers across the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed being successfully re-certified.
Sunshine Sugar CEO, Mr Chris Connors said: “Our growers are an integral part of the certification process, being audited for sustainable farming practices, responsible use of chemicals and responsible waste management.”
“Signing up to Bonsucro’s credible, global platform has been a significant factor in our successful track record supplying to some of the biggest food and beverage brands across Australia. Our customers appreciate that our sustainability credentials stretch across the supply chain starting right at the source – on farm.”
In their latest report, Bonsucro statistics show that certified members continue to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, improve water stewardship and advance human rights in the sector. It also reveals a growing demand with market uptake of certified products increasing 54% in the trade of certified sugar.
“To our knowledge, no other sugar industry in the world has 100% participation from its growing, milling and refining operations, making our consistent compliance to the standard such a remarkable effort – one we’re very proud of;” Mr Connors commented.
[25 March 2024]