Sustainability at Winter Wonderland: A Commitment to a Greener Future

At Peppermint, sustainability is a key pillar for us and is at the heart of everything we do as we continue on this Net Zero Journey. Through our partnership with Winter Wonderland, we’re committed to reducing our environmental impact and making positive changes that align with our vision for a greener future. From responsible sourcing to ambitious waste management goals, here’s how we’re driving sustainability at this year’s event.

Responsible Food Sourcing

Peppermint leads the way in ensuring that all food served at Winter Wonderland is responsibly sourced. This includes:

• Prioritising Seasonal British Produce: Whenever possible, menus are built around seasonal British ingredients to reduce travel miles and environmental impact.
• European Sourcing for Non-UK Produce: When ingredients are unavailable locally, they are sourced from Europe to minimize environmental costs.
• Welfare Standards: At minimum, all meat must meet free-range standards, with a long-term goal of transitioning to organic options.

These choices reflect our belief that sustainability starts with the ingredients we use and the way we source them.

Ambitious Recycling & Waste Reduction Goals

As we continue on our journey to achieve zero food waste, we’ve implemented systems to manage waste effectively:

• On-Site Waste Separation: All waste streams are separated to maximize recycling and composting.
• Recycling Targets: Recycling systems are mandatory for all traders, ensuring minimal waste ends up in landfills.
• Partnership with Too Good to Go: Any surplus food can be donated to food charities through a designated drop-off point, helping to combat food waste while supporting those in need.

Essential Sustainability Criteria for Traders

Every trader at Winter Wonderland must adhere to strict sustainability guidelines, including:

1. Compostable or Wooden Serve ware: Only compostable or wooden packaging is allowed—”biodegradable” alternatives will not do.
2. Certified Ingredients: Meat, fish, eggs, milk, tea, and coffee must meet specific certification requirements.
3. No Single-Use Plastics: Single sachets, disposable plastic bottles, and single-use plastics are strictly prohibited.
4. Use of Recycling Systems: All traders must utilise the recycling infrastructure provided on-site.

Measuring Carbon Impact with Foodsteps

To empower our chefs and traders, we’ve partnered with Foodsteps to calculate the carbon footprint of every menu item. Using their A-E carbon label scale, we’re able to:

• Provide clear, credible climate information to customers.
• Avoid greenwashing by ensuring transparency and compliance with the Green Claims Code.

With Foodsteps, we’re not just reducing our environmental impact—we’re actively educating traders and visitors about the choices they can make to support sustainability.

Innovative Packaging with Notpla

Some traders at Winter Wonderland are using Notpla packaging, an innovative solution designed to eliminate waste. Made with a natural seaweed coating, Notpla packaging:

• Is 100% compostable.
• Disappears without a trace, like a fruit peel.

This partnership showcases our commitment to embracing innovative technologies that prioritise the health of our planet.

Sustainable Practices During Build and Breakdown

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond the festival itself:

• Reusing Materials: 80% of decking and trader huts from 2022 have been repurposed for this year’s event.
• Repairing and Remodelling: Old lights and decorations have been repaired and reused.
• Charitable Donations: At the end of the event, unwanted wood is donated to charities, and food and dry goods are collected by food banks.

Join Us on our Sustainable Journey

Sustainability is a collective effort, and at Winter Wonderland, we’re proud to work alongside traders, partners, and guests to reduce our environmental impact. Together, we can ensure that Winter Wonderland continues to be a magical experience that’s kind to our planet.

We look forward to continue welcoming you to a greener, more sustainable Winter Wonderland!