We're taking a 3-step approach of measuring, offsetting and ultimately trying to reduce our impact on the planet.  

Step 1: Measuring our Carbon Footprint  

In 2021, we gained Carbon Neutral status, working with Climate Partner to calculate and offset our total impact across both Misfits HQ and our wider operations making, packing and delivering our delicious protein bars to you.   

For our protein bars, we measure their entire lifecycle all the way from sourcing materials through to production and distribution to the point of you eating the product and disposing of the packaging. We then account for how many bars are sold each year to understand the overall impact. For our HQ and team carbon footprint we measure employee commuting, energy used to power our office, energy used for home-working, business travel, purchase of electrical goods such as laptops and computers and paper usage. We collect the data in house, then work with Climate Partner to translate that into CO2 emissions.  

Data collection: We collect data on all the componentry of our products, such as ingredients and packaging, looking at the source, country of origin and transport method into production. We also collect energy type and usage for production. All assumptions and estimations are noted and reported along with the data to Climate Partner.  

Translating to emissions: Climate Partner utilise their catalogue of emissions references for ingredients, materials, transport and disposal to translate our data collection into an emissions factor per reference quantity of our product. They then combine this factor with our ongoing sales data for any given period, and add a +10% buffer to advise us on our total emissions (as CO2 equivalents) and required offset amounts.  

In 2022 we reduced our total carbon footprint by 33%, despite growing our sales significantly. 

Below you can see the proportion of different activities on our overall carbon footprint for 2022 compared to 2021. In 2021, our US and Global sales grew which meant an increase in the proportional impact of transport (distribution + storage). In 2022 we continued to grow global sales; however we reduced airfreight and optimized logistics through localised warehousing in key regionsMeaning the % of distribution and storage within our footprint was reduced, as well as our overall total emissions 

 

Step 2: Offsetting to achieve Carbon Neutral 

We have tracked our impact back to the beginning of 2020, when we first launched our protein bars, and offset the equivalent emissions via Climate Partner. If you’re new to carbon offsetting, here’s how it works. Each project compensates for carbon emissions through, for example, afforestation efforts or the expansion of renewable energies. Independent organisations monitor the precise amounts of carbon saved, which are then sold in the form of CO2 reduction certificates (or offsets), which in turn finance the project. Projects that can be carried out without this financial support are not recognised as a carbon offset project. 

 

Purchased from
Project ID No.
Project Name
Offset Type and Site Location
Protocol to estimate emissions
Third Party Verification
Climate Partner 1216 Bamboo for. Deforestation-free product Prevention of deforestation, and carbon removal/capture in Rio Kama, Nicaragua Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) – by Rainforest Alliance  TÜV NORD CERT GmbH 
Climate Partner 1041 Improved cookstoves for better health and less deforestation  A voided emissions through efficient cookstoves which do not require deforestation. Kampala, Uganda

Gold Standard VER (GS VER)  
By Carbon Check (India) Private Ltd 

TÜV NORD JI/CDM Certification Program 
Climate Partner 1402 Supporting indigenous people to avoid deforestation  Protection of forest, avoided emissions of deforestation and enabling carbon capture. Mataven, Colombia Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) CCBS by Columbian Institute for Technical Standards and Certification (ICONTEC)  EPIC Sustainability Services Private Ltd 
Climate Partner 1138 14 wind parks that boost sustainable development in Northeast Brazil  Avoided emissions through renewable energy sources. Northeast Brazil Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) by Rina Services S.p.A (RINA)  Earthood Services Private Limited 
Climate Partner 1387 Wind energy fosters community benefits in South Africa  Avoided emissions through renewable energy sources. De Aar, South Africa  Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) By Carbon Check (India) Private Ltd  TÜV SÜD South Asia Private Limited 
Climate Partner 1315 Promoting India’s sustainable development through wind power  Avoided emissions through renewable energy sources. Bhatel, India

Gold Standard VER (GS VER)  by Applus+ LGAI Technological Centre, S.A

Applus+ LGAI Technological Centre, S.A

 

You can read more about the projects we've supported with our offsets so far here. https://fpm.climatepartner.com/tracking/16288-2110-1001/en 

 

Step 3: Reducing our impact 

 

Measuring and Offsetting is a great start and it’s more than a lot of companies do, but we know it's not enough. To slow climate change and protect our planet, we all need to significantly reduce our overall impact. By measuring our impact across the total business, we’re able to identify hot spots and focus areas to improve.  

 

Packaging  

Whilst packaging accounts for a relatively small portion of our carbon footprint, we all know that packaging waste has a significant impact on our environment. We carefully consider the amount and types of packaging we use to best protect our products, ensuring they arrive at your door looking and tasting great.  

 

Bar Wrappers:  

Why?  

It may seem obvious but the wrapper creates a protective layer between our precious protein bars and the outside world. It prevents moisture, light or bacteria from affecting the product quality so it’s the most important piece of packaging for ensuring our products remain safe to eat and tasty. It also creates a perfectly portioned and transportable snack for on the go :)  

What?  

Currently our bar wrappers are made from OPP plastic, which can now be recycled with plastic bags and other soft plastics at local collection points (such as large supermarkets). The plastic wrap around our boxes can also be recycled in this way.  

What Next?  

We are currently trialling alternatives wrapper materials, made predominantly from paper which can be recycled in home recycling, however we need to do sufficient testing and checks to ensure the product quality, safety and shelf life isn’t adversely affected. Stay tuned.  

 

Boxes:  

Why?  

Boxes are crucial for protecting the products from any physical damage or impacts during the journey from us to you. On the way from factory, to warehouse, to delivery partner to your door products need to be stacked for efficient delivery. We select a suitable cardboard strength to adequate protection of the product.  

What? 

Currently, all our cardboard boxes can be recycled at home in mixed or paper recycling bins. This includes the box your bars come in, as well as the bigger mailing box your order arrives in.  

What Next? 

We’re looking at increasing the recycled fibre content of our boxes to further reduce their impact.  

 

Ingredients sourcing

We know that plant-based foods on the whole have a lighter impact on the planet than foods containing animal products, so we’re off to a good start with our plant-powered protein bars and powders. Over the coming years, our team will be working more closely on identifying any further improvements that can be made through ingredient switching, country of origin or mode of transport.  

 

Energy use in production

We’re working with our factories to reduce energy use where possible, and to switch into renewable energy sources where this is not already the case.