Tim Hortons reports on 2012 Sustainability and Responsibility efforts

DUBLIN, OH, April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Tim Hortons has released its third annual Sustainability and Responsibility Report, highlighting the company's 2012 performance results and outlining goals and commitments for 2013.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130403/MM87956-INFO)

The report focuses on the three key sustainability pillars, as the company stands by its commitment to Making a True Difference^TM for: individuals, communities and the planet.

"Sustainability and responsibility continues to play an important role within our company," said Scott Bonikowsky, Vice President, Corporate, Public and Government Affairs, Tim Hortons. "We remain focused on reaching 2013 goals which encourages individuals to achieve their best, communities to thrive and grow and embraces our responsibility to do our part for the environment."

Highlights of the 2012 Sustainability and Responsibility Report include:

Individuals

• Significant progress on our sodium reduction initiative. For example, to date we have reduced sodium in our soups (31%), deli meats (49%) and muffins (22%)

Communities

• We welcomed 15,450 children to the Tim Horton Children's Foundation (THCF) year-round camps and work toward our goal of 17,000 children by 2015
  
  
• We distributed 257 bursaries worth approximately $700,000 for post-secondary education to graduates of THCF's Youth Leadership Program with a goal of providing 1,000 bursaries by 2015
  
  
• In 2012, together with our Restaurant Owners and guests, $11 million was raised on Camp Day to help send economically-disadvantaged kids to camp
  
  
• Our Smile Cookie program raised $4.5 million for local charities across Canada and the U.S.
  
  
• Since 2005, more than 3,400 farmers have participated in Tim Hortons Coffee Partnership projects. We have influenced the lives of more than 17,000 people in our project communities. Our goal is to work with 2,800 farmers in 2013
  
  

The Planet

• In 2012, our manufacturing and distribution waste diversion rate was 70 percent.  We will aim for a 10 percent increase in waste diversion by the end of 2014
  
  
• We achieved LEED® Certification on our pilot restaurant in Hamilton, ON and registered another four locations in 2012.  We aim to register a minimum of 30 new restaurants by the end of 2016
  
  
• We affirm our call for the pork industry to eliminate gestation stall practices for sows, and by 2022, will source pork from suppliers who have made a transition to alternative open housing
  
  
• We are on track to sourcing 10 percent of our egg products from more humane, alternative hen housing systems by the end of 2013. This represents significantly more than 10 million eggs
  
  
• We founded the Tim Hortons Sustainable Food Management Fund at the University of Guelph. Our North America-wide restaurant industry summit focusing on academic research about animal welfare issues and best practices is being planned for the fall of 2013
  
  

In the creation of Tim Hortons 2012 Sustainability and Responsibility Performance report, the Company followed the Global Reporting Initiative G3.1 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.

To view the Sustainability and Responsibility 2012 Performance Report, please visit: http://files.newswire.ca/1219/Tims0403.pdf

To view the entire report, please visit: sustainabilityreport.timhortons.com

About Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop

Tim Hortons is one of the largest publicly-traded restaurant chains in North America based on market capitalization. Operating in the quick service segment of the restaurant industry, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, espresso-based beverages, specialty teas, home-style soups, fresh sandwiches, grilled paninis, wraps, hot breakfast sandwiches and fresh baked goods, including our trademark donuts.  As of December 30, 2012, Tim Hortons had 804 restaurants in the United States and 4,264 restaurants systemwide.  For more information, visit www.timhortons.com.

SOURCE Tim Hortons Inc.