Swindon & Wiltshire News
Pie-maker to close online store over Black Friday period to cut waste
Iconic Bristol pie-maker Pieminister is to close its online shop over the Black Friday period in a bid to reduce food waste.
The firm said it made the decision after huge demand for orders last year put “immense pressure” on couriers, which led to pies “going astray or being severely delayed.” The produce had to be destroyed.
“As a business committed to eradicating edible food waste that’s the last thing we want to see. So, we’re taking proactive steps to prevent it from happening again,” said the company in a statement on Monday.
“Our shop will reopen right after this short break, giving you plenty of time to stock up on your favourites – including our festive specials – in good time for Christmas.”
In 2015, Pieminister “flipped Black Friday on its head and use the term as a force for good.” The company launched Black Pieday, giving away pies in return for donations to Shelter, raising thousands of pounds for the homelessness charity.
According to the company’s latest Impact Report, the firm has increased its commitment to higher animal welfare standards, stopped contributing to deforestation by using only identity preserved palm oil, reduced its carbon emissions by 30 per cent since 2019-20, increased recyclable packaging to 98.7 per cent and reduced plastic packaging to 2.21 per cent, and sent just 0.25 per cent of its waste to landfill.
The company is a B Corp and a Living Wage employer.
