Our wind turbine is installed at our main site in South Kirkby, West Yorkshire.
2016
Nearly 2,000 solar panels installed and over £400,000 invested to date at our South Kirkby site.
2018
Employees from across the business came together to form The Ice Co Sustainability Team.
2020
In an industry 1st, paper bag trials begin before completing a year later to offer the 1st 100% recyclable paper ice product.
2021
All products are made with 100% renewable energy.
2022
The Ice Co Super Cubes 2kg sold in paper bags for the 1st time at Glastonbury Festival.
2023
100% of company cars are electric/hybrid.
NOW
Our biggest project has begun, The Ice Co are working towards achieving net zero by 2050.
Our Sustainability Vision
THE ICE CO ARE LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILE MANUFACTURING IN THE FROZEN INDUSTRY
We are the number one choice for sustainability and sustainable manufacturing by our customers, with an engaged, happy and empowered workforce. We source only from others with aligned values and constantly work to seek further improvements which in turn reduce carbon emissions and our impact on the environment, all striving towards our goal of net zero by 2050.
Our Sustainability Strategy 2026
We grow, develop and recognise Ice Champions! Our family friendly ethos creates an engaged, happy and skilled workforce. We ensure equality and parity of pay. We promote a positive and proactive approach to employee health and wellbeing.
People
We deliver sustainable solutions from ice forming to ice consumption through sutainable manufacturing, driving waste from our processes and sourcing as sustainably as possible. Maintaining our ISO14001 certification into the future.
Process
‘IceKind’ is our way to support our local community, national charities and world causes that are close to the hearts of our workforce and have a strong focus on the environment.
Planet
Doing our bit for the planet
Keeping the planet cool as well as the nation
Click below to download our full sustainability strategy and policy documents.
"The Ice Co are ahead of the curve with their packaging and sustainability plans compared to other frozen food brands"Customer
Did you know?
We’ve recently been awarded ‘Great Place to Work’ certification after surveying our entire workforce with questions around culture, benefits and overall happiness in the workplace!
A letter from the Directors
In 2024, as Europe’s leading ice manufacturer and the UK’s No.1 ice brand, we know there is no future without social and environmental accountability. We believe that in our position, we have a responsibility to help shape the future of the frozen industry, to create a more inclusive and sustainable world.
It’s been 6 years since we first formed our Sustainability Team, recruiting voices from across the business from directors to marketing and operations, meeting quarterly to progress our ever-evolving 3-year plan. And whilst we have achieved so much already, we feel like we’re only just getting started, with our Sustainability Strategy 2026 outlining the beginnings of the road towards Net Zero by 2050.
In order to achieve this, we are investing heavily in our people, our processes and our planet in a way that aligns with our all-important company values – to Inspire through knowledge, to rise to the Challenge and to continue to Evolve, as well as having a team of individuals you can Depend on and a company and people that we are Proud of.
We know that one of our biggest challenges as an ice manufacturer, striving for a more sustainable world is in our packaging. We’ve always been committed to exploring packaging solutions and have already reduced the plastic in our bags by 30%, as well as only using FSC-certified cardboard from sustainably managed forests, but this is only the beginning!
So what does the future look like for The Ice Co? Our ambition is to become the best ice company in the world and a leader in the frozen industry for sustainability. We want to work with the best retailers and lead the ice market in growth, share and innovation, all whilst having a dedicated team of hard-working ice champions and award-winning people, products and services.
We are committed to doing our bit for the planet, whilst fostering an inclusive workforce and using our platform to educate and inspire others to do the same. In a world where Greenwashing is everywhere, we promise to be open about our progress and performance to maintain our transparency and integrity.
We’ve been passionate about keeping our customers cool since 1860, but now together, we have to do the best we can to keep the planet cool too.
Polly Metcalfe and Philip Marr The Ice Co, Managing Directors
Let's talk about packagingSince 2018 we have reduced the amount of plastic used in our packaging by 30% - that’s 474 tonnes of plastic!
Our bags are fully recyclable! Click here to find your nearest soft plastic recycling point.
The Future
Plastic packaging is a hot topic, and one we’re often asked about. It’s very difficult to find the right solution for ice cubes that is;
Food safe
Able to survive in the freezer
Able to hold a wet product
Commercially viable
However, we are constantly searching and sourcing plastic alternatives. Here are some options we are currently exploring:
We are trialling options that are 100% compostable and can be put in your garden or food waste bin, or compost heap!
Biodegrable packaging
Bio – Such as corn, canola, sugarcane or cotton
Circular – Mixed plastic waste
Renewable – Plastic packaging made from renewable sources such as hydrogen and power-to-x
Sustainably Accredited Materials
Whilst our trials were successful, it is not at a stage for mainstream production at this moment in time.
Paper Bag
Cardboard Boxes
Our cardboard packaging we use to transport our products to stores is made from FSC-certified board from sustainable-managed forests.
Did you know?
Last year we donated to 36 fundraisers, community projects, sports teams & charities!
Learn more about the journey so far
THE ICE CO LAUNCHES BAGGED ICE IN RECYCLABLE PAPER PACKAGING
Sustainability at The Ice Co – Our Journey so Far
Our Sustainability Strategy 2026 – The Road to Net Zero Begins