What are we doing to support the milk industry?
THE RESPONSIBLE DAIRY PROCUREMENT APPROACH
Our Responsible Dairy Sourcing approach aims to help our milk producers reduce their environmental footprint while improving their profitability.
We offer them a complete diagnosis carried out by independent experts from the Institut de l'Elevage, the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and the Engineering Consulting Sector according to 10 key indicators. Proposals for actions are then established on the basis of this diagnosis.
This approach is:
CO-CONSTRUCTED:
By all players in the milk sector.VOLUNTARY:
Our producers are free to get involved.PERSONALIZED:
It is the producers themselves who define their priorities and choose the actions they will implement according to their specific needs: changing the diet of cows, developing biodiversity, etc.Results:
In 2015, more than a hundred of our farms had already taken part in the process.
Ultimately, our approach will be able to reduce the carbon footprint of our committed farms by 20%.
Results:
Reduction of the carbon footprint respectively by: -4% and -7%
COMBINING NATURALNESS, QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE
The development of natural feed for the herd is at the heart of our approach. Grass is excellent for the quality of milk, animal welfare, the environment, but also for the economy of farms. Grasslands store carbon, protect soils, filter water, maintain biodiversity and recycle herd droppings.REDUCTION OF THE CARBON FOOTPRINT
The introduction of alfalfa and the modification of the cows' diet have made it possible to improve the quality of their milk and reduce the purchase of concentrated feed.DID YOU KNOW?
50% of a farm’s greenhouse gas emissions can be offset by grasslands and hedges which store carbon and maintain biodiversity.
We are reducing your water and energy consumption
THE ILLOUD CHEESE FACTORY REQUIRES TWO TYPES OF ENERGY:
- Fuel and wood which allow the production of water vapor.
- Electricity which makes it possible to ensure the lighting and the functioning of the installations.
A LOCALLY SUPPLIED WOOD-FIRED BOILER REPLACED THE HEAVY FUEL OIL.
The wood-fired boiler is now the main source of energy for the manufacture of our cheeses.
DID YOU KNOW?
The cheese dairy supplies itself with wood from forests extending within a radius of 100 km around, which has made it possible to develop the region’s wood industry and boost the local economy.
REDUCTION OF ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION
Chilled water production method, low consumption lighting, installation of several electric meters.
Results:
-70% reduction in fuel consumption,
Results:
Reduction in electricity consumption in 3 years: -25%
OPTIMIZATION OF WATER CONSUMPTION.
Projects have been set up to optimize water consumption: installation of meters to identify where the leaks are coming from, real-time monitoring of water consumption.
DID YOU KNOW?
Thanks to methodical energy management to favour energy performance, the Illoud cheese dairy is ISO 50001 certified. In 2015, the Okavango-Energy cabinet distinguished our cheese dairy for its good energy practices: Its investment in a biomass boiler.
Its ongoing projects in favour of energy improvement. Its efforts to reduce its energy consumption by 21.6%.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER?
The cheese dairy is equipped with its own purification station. All the water used is treated there with biological treatment.
Results:
Reduction in water consumption in 5 years: -10%
DO YOU RECYCLE?
The papers are sent to a sorting center within the postal trucks, which contributes to reducing the carbon footprint linked to transport, and a job is created for every 100 tonnes of recycled paper.
The sorting of papers is carried out by people from the Social and Solidarity Economy. In France in 2014, the Recy’go partnership made it possible to insert 34 people, most of whom subsequently found lasting employment.
WHAT IS THAT?
We are committed to sorting, collecting and recycling paper. Paper sorting was thus deployed in 2015 with La Poste as part of the Recy’go service.
What about the cows and the farmers
WHAT IS THE CHARTER OF GOOD FARMING PRACTICES?
Our milk producers have all signed the Charter of Good Breeding Practices.
Developed with breeders and updated every 2 years, it makes it possible to engage milk producers in constantly improving the quality of food and animal welfare.
The charter contains a total of 41 points that we audit every 2 years in terms of the environment, traceability, hygiene, health, food and animal welfare!
THE SIX ESSENTIAL COMMITMENTS
I ensure the identification of my herd according to the rules in force.
I make sure my herd is in good health.
I guarantee for my herd a healthy, balanced and balanced diet.
I guarantee the sanitary quality of the milk through my hygiene practices.
I ensure good conditions of hygiene and well-being for the herd.
I participate in the protection of the environment.
ARE YOU COMMITTED TO YOUR PRODUCERS?
We support our producers in our sustainable milk approach called “Responsible Dairy Procurement”.
This includes consulting and training services for our milk producers, in order to jointly implement the best breeding practices, improve the quality of milk and ensure the sustainable performance of farms.
WHAT DO YOUR COWS EAT?
180 days a year, they enjoy the green pastures of our three dairy ponds in the open air.
Did you know?
In winter, cows cannot stay in the meadows. Their diet is therefore based on rapeseed, clover and alfalfa: cereals and legumes often produced on the farm.
HOW IS YOUR MILK COLLECTED?
Our producers are located less than 70 km from the cheese factory and two thirds of them within 50 km.
Did you know?
Our approach has been initiated with milk producers since 2011.
Is your packaging eco friendly?
MANUFACTURED IN THE VOSGES, FROM 100% RECYCLED CARDBOARD .
Your cardboard box and the thin sheet that protects the cheese are also recyclable! Help us in our process by putting the cardboard box and the thin sheet that surrounds the cheese in the sorting bins at your place of residence. It is thanks to your sorting gesture that the packaging is recycled. Recycling cardboard saves water and wood.
PARTNERSHIP WITH ECO-EMBALLAGES
We are committed to the Eco-Emballages company, which has been working for 20 years to organize and support the recycling of household packaging in France. Today 67% of packaging is recycled! A performance that we can all improve even further in the coming years.
IMPRIM'VERT LABEL
Our printing company has the Imprim’Vert label, which helps reduce the impact of its activity on the environment. The printing house recycles all of its waste, the shipping trucks never return empty and the ink used is 100% vegetal.
