Our Net Zero Plan
Tackling food poverty and protecting the planet — because a greener community is a stronger community.
Doing Good — For People & Planet
At Crookston Community Group, our work has always been rooted in community — feeding people, reducing poverty, and building connection. But we also recognise that these goals are inseparable from the health of our environment. Food left to rot in landfill, carbon-heavy transport, and neglected green spaces are problems that fall hardest on the communities we serve.
That's why environmental responsibility is woven into everything we do. From rescuing thousands of kilograms of surplus food each year, to growing fresh fruit in the heart of Pollok, to encouraging sustainable travel across our community — we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint while making life better for local people.
We are dedicated to tackling food poverty, reducing waste, and supporting local people with dignity, respect, and compassion — now and into the future.
18,083kg
Food Rescued from Landfill
57,865kg
CO₂ Prevented from Release
50+
Community Orchard Growers
0
Waste Sent to Landfill from Our Collections
Rescuing Surplus Food, Saving the Planet
One of the most impactful things we do for the environment is also one of the most practical: collecting surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, and redistributing it directly to people who need it.
Through our ongoing collection programme, CCG gathers excess food from supermarkets including Tesco and Waitrose. This food — still perfectly good but past its commercial shelf date — goes straight into our foodbank, pantry, FareShare sessions, and community meals rather than into landfill.
To date, we have prevented 18,083kg of food from going to landfill through this programme alone — the equivalent of saving 57,865kg of CO₂ from being released into the atmosphere.
We are grateful to every supermarket, restaurant, and food producer who has joined us in this effort, and to the dedicated team of volunteers who make these collections possible every week.
Partnering with FareShare to Reduce Food Waste
CCG is a proud FareShare member organisation. FareShare is the UK's largest food redistribution charity, working with manufacturers, retailers, and growers to rescue surplus food from the supply chain before it ever reaches a bin.
Every week, FareShare delivers a mix of fresh fruit, vegetables, protein, and dry goods to CCG. This redistribution-first model ensures that good food reaches people in need — and never goes to waste.
The food we receive through FareShare goes directly into our Food Pantry (open Monday to Friday) and our FareShare Wednesday sessions, where local people can select 10 items for just £2.50 — with no usage limits and no membership fees.
Growing Food in the Heart of Our Community
Through The Orchard Project, CCG has transformed unused space and the planters outside our Tiffin Fresh Food Café on Paisley Road West into a thriving community orchard — growing fresh fruit in the heart of Pollok.
The orchard produces fresh seasonal fruit that is fed directly into our foodbank and pantry, supplementing what we receive through FareShare and reducing reliance on supply chains altogether. It's food grown locally, harvested by the community, and shared with those who need it most.
Over the past year, more than 50 local residents — including around 20 children — have helped plant, maintain, and harvest the orchard. Families and volunteers take part in seasonal activities such as planting days and harvesting events, learning gardening skills, enjoying nature, and connecting with their community.
The Orchard Project promotes sustainability not just as a policy, but as a lived experience — one that brings people together and turns green space into a shared community resource.
What the Orchard Delivers
Fresh Local Produce
Seasonal fruit grown on-site and harvested by community volunteers, going straight to people who need it.
Reduced Food Miles
Locally grown food means zero supply chain emissions — from our orchard to our pantry in minutes, not miles.
Family Involvement
Over 20 children have participated in planting and harvesting, learning about food, nature, and community.
Gardening Skills
Volunteers and residents develop practical horticultural skills with real-world environmental impact.
Foodbank Support
Orchard harvests supplement our foodbank and pantry stocks, reducing dependence on purchased goods.
Community Connection
Shared planting days and seasonal events build bonds between neighbours, families, and volunteers.
Community Bike Library
Getting around shouldn't cost the earth — literally. CCG's Community Bike Library makes cycling accessible to local residents by providing bicycles that can be borrowed free of charge, encouraging low-carbon travel across Pollok and beyond.
Cars and public transport dominate daily journeys in our communities, but for many residents the cost of both is prohibitive. The Bike Library tackles this head-on — removing the financial barrier to sustainable travel while promoting healthier, more active lifestyles.
Every bike journey taken instead of a car or taxi journey represents a small but meaningful reduction in our community's collective carbon footprint. Multiply that across hundreds of journeys each year, and the environmental impact adds up quickly.
Cleaner Spaces for Everyone
Our Community Payback Scheme runs six days a week, with 12–15 participants contributing unpaid work to improve the areas around CCG's premises and the wider Pollok neighbourhood.
Community Payback activities directly benefit the local environment — from clearing litter and maintaining green spaces, to preparing and improving our growing areas including the community orchard at Tiffin. These efforts make Pollok safer, cleaner, and greener for everyone.
For many participants, this work also represents a turning point — a chance to make a positive contribution, develop skills, and rebuild confidence. The environment and the community benefit together.
Our Net Zero Commitments
Environmental responsibility will be a growing focus for CCG in the years ahead. Below are the commitments we are making to reduce our environmental impact and embed sustainability across everything we do.
More Efficient Food Redistribution
We will expand our surplus food collection partnerships — working with more retailers, restaurants, and food producers to intercept good food before it reaches landfill.
Expanding Community Growing
Building on the success of The Orchard Project, we plan to introduce additional community growing spaces to produce more fresh food locally and reduce food miles.
Sustainability Education
We will introduce sustainability education programmes for all generations — helping children and adults alike understand their environmental impact and how to reduce it.
Growing the Bike Library
We aim to expand our Community Bike Library, making low-carbon travel available to more residents and further reducing car dependency across the area.
Green Infrastructure
As we develop and improve our premises, we are committed to incorporating green infrastructure — from improved insulation to energy-conscious building decisions.
Community Environmental Stewardship
We will work alongside residents and partners to build a culture of environmental awareness and stewardship across all generations in our community.
Help Us Go Further
Our environmental work is powered by our community — volunteers, donors, and partners who believe that doing good for people and doing good for the planet go hand in hand.
Donate Surplus Food
Got food you won't use? Drop it off at one of our hubs and we'll make sure it goes to someone who needs it — not to landfill.
Find drop-off points →Volunteer with Us
Help with food collections, orchard maintenance, or warehouse operations — every hour you give has a direct environmental and community impact.
See volunteer roles →Partner with Us
Is your business generating surplus food or goods? Partner with CCG to ensure they reach people in need rather than going to waste.
Explore partnerships →"Every kilogram of food rescued is a meal on someone's table and a step towards a cleaner, fairer world."
Crookston Community Group