Beyond Tree Hugging: GreenWash // GreenWin : Alpro Soya

Maybe it’s just me, but soya seems to be getting a big push at the minute. I received some vouchers for Alpro Soya recently, so decided to try it out. I purchased a few items and noticed a lot of green talk on the containers, so decided to check out the company for my first Greenwash Vs Greenwin.

Soya itself can be a tricky subject among hardcore environmentalists. It’s gotten bad press for links with widespread deforestation and GM use. On the flip side, it’s vegan - this means dramatically less land, water and energy was required to make it than dairy milk.

I’ll put it out there – I’m not vegan, or vegetarian, I don’t even do Meat Free Monday. I don’t eat a ton of meat and I’m not adverse to Quorn but it’s not something I’ve put my heart and soul into. I've been thinking of blogging a few veggie recipes though, if that would interest you. The way I see it, I usually have meat or animal products in the meals just because it’s always been that way, it’s easy and habitual. The beauty of something like soya milk is, you don’t need a whole new habit – just a quick swap of product on your breakfast cereal.

I’m going to shimmy away from the big general soya debate and focus in on Alpo today. Alpro Soya brands itself as an earth-friendly product, which I’ve generally assumed was mostly greenwash (call me cynical). On closer inspection I’ve been happily surprised.

I was surprised to learn in their Sustainable Development Report 2010 that the original aim of the company was to help fight famine in Africa through soya technology. Whilst they have since moved into the consumer goods industry, they've earnt some kudos supporting a range of projects, ranging from Project Waterfall in partnership with WaterAid and Caffe Nero (1), to funding to local Wildlife Trusts (2) to local community projects in Brazil (3).

All Alpro Soya beans are non-GM, and obtained directly from farmers, to ensure sustainable methods of production. The majority (85%) of their packaging is 100% recyclable, the remainder is partially recyclable (4).

Could this be soya production with all the environmental pro’s and none of the con’s? Admittedly, due to some lack of sources, much of this info is from their own reports, which claim pretty high standards, and could be questioned for it’s reliability. Despite much scouring, no contradiction of the strong efforts they appear to be making for human rights and the environment could be found.

Perhaps more convincing is the fact that Alpro is a signatory on the United Nations Global Compact Initiative, adhering to its 10 principles which include policies on human rights and the environment. These are adapted into the company’s ethical charter, which was signed by 78% of their suppliers as of 2010. Alpro were also the first European food company accepted onto WWF Climate Savers, a commitment to lower CO₂ emissions (5). So far the track record looks good, with a 24%, 23%, and 40% reduction in CO₂ emissions in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Their overall aim is to be carbon neutral by 2020 (6). In the meantime, they certainly hold up to their environmental benefits over dairy. An Ecofys Life Cycle Assessment of Alpro products in 2009 found that 5 times less CO2 is emitted, 3 times less land is used and 2.5 times less water is required when producing a litre of soya compared to a litre of cow’s milk (7).

The Alpro site (8) also goes into detail about the human health benefits of dairy alternatives, if you’re interested in that side of things.

And taste satisfaction? I purchased Alpro ‘yoghurts’ and Almond Milk. The yoghurts were tasty – not quite as creamy a texture as you’d get from dairy, but no sacrifice in flavour. The Almond Milk was not impressive when drank straight – but perfectly good on cereal (and, I am reliably informed, in pancake batter also!). The yoghurts were pretty standard price (£1.75/4pk), with the milk a little dearer than dairy (£1.49/l).

Are you convinced?