foodpanda hands out complimentary marketing for 'green label' brands in SG

Foodpanda has launched the Green Label initiative where restaurants that are deemed "green" and are certified through its scheme, will receive complimentary marketing by foodpanda, educational workshops and resources on sustainability measures to support their green practices. According to foodpanda, the Green Label initiative is to drive sustainability targets set out by the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and promote restaurants that have adopted environmentally-friendlier practices that are aligned with Singapore’s sustainability goals.

These include restaurants that use locally-sourced ingredients, sustainable packaging, and those that are taking concrete steps to reduce food waste, among others. 

There are currently 49 Green Label certified restaurant partners with over 900 outlets across Singapore, including Starbucks, Flash Coffee, Swensen’s and VeganBurg. The audit criterion for the certification was developed by foodpanda with guidance from PACT SG, an initiative started by WWF Singapore to reduce waste and move towards a circular economy. Restaurants are then audited by non-governmental organisation, Zero Waste SG.

The criteria takes into consideration restaurants’ efforts in eight areas comprising conscious food, sustainable packaging, waste reduction, food waste, social welfare, carbon reduction, awareness and education, and power supply. Additionally, foodpanda will also be working with restaurants to help them improve in specific areas of the criteria in which they are weaker in. 

This is not the brand's first foray into the sustainability space. In 2017, it launched an opt out feature for disposable cutlery, and had banned shark based dishes in 2019 in partnership with WWF. Meanwhile, in 2020, it partnered with barePack and Muse to offer reusable container options for delivery, and just last year, it pioneered home delivery services of cultured meat, in partnership with Eat Just.

Laura Kantor, director of marketing and sustainability, foodpanda Singapore said that with the launch of Green Label, it aims to make it easier for both its restaurant partners and customers to be more sustainable. “With clearly laid-out criteria, our restaurant partners will be able to get a comprehensive understanding of where they stand, as well as guidance from us to work on the aspects they can strengthen,” she said. Kantor added that the certification also makes it easier for customers to support brands that are more environmentally-friendly. “The launch of Green Label therefore allows us to deliver a bigger impact on achieving our sustainability goals, and to continue to set the benchmark for the industry,” Kantor said. 

Further ramping up its sustainability efforts, foodpanda teamed up with Singapore-based food tech company CRUST to launch a locally produced, sustainable beer made with upcycled surplus bread last month. Titled the Pau-Pau Sustainabeer "Loaf Like A Panda", featuring foodpanda's mascot on the label, both parties sought to reduce food waste in Singapore with its beer, and encouraged people to unwind and relax in a sustainable way. 

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