Operating for a more sustainable future
As a plastic packaging manufacturer, we can help brands develop sustainable packaging while lowering our own environmental impact.
We believe that everything we do, every day, should be built on the foundations of safe working conditions, healthy habits and sustainable operation. When you work with us, you can be confident that you're partnering with a company that values and practices sustainable initiatives — from the materials we use to the way we operate. Our focus remains on lowering our energy, water and material usage, further reducing our waste to landfill and increasing our use of PCR.
Sustainable Manufacturing Goals
We’re committed to meeting several goals that will broaden our influence and establish Graham Packaging as a leader in sustainability over the upcoming years.
Materials
Incorporating PCR Content
We’re committed to the use of PCR — both standard and ocean-bound — in our products. It’s our goal that by 2025, an average of 20% PCR content will be incorporated across the bottles we make. We’ve also continued to explore chemical recycling and other emerging technologies that will help us create more sustainable packaging solutions using this valuable resource.
Energy Usage
Lowering Our Consumption
Across our facilities, our team has found creative ways to lower our energy consumption, including using renewable energy sources, increasing lighting efficiency and reducing equipment air leaks.
We're also a member of the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Plants Program, which provides facilities like ours with resources and tools for lowering our energy consumption. Our commitment is to reduce our energy usage by 25% over a 10-year period.
Greenhouse Gases
Reducing Our Emissions
We recognize that climate change is real, and as the global community begins to think strategically about how to combat this complex issue, we’re taking steps to measure and report on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. From our 2020 baseline, we've committed to a sustainability goal of 30% GHG emission reduction by 2030. Initiatives that have led to a reduction in our GHG emissions include:
- Lightweighting packaging to increase the amount of product that can be carried on a single truck
- Diverting plastics from landfills through the Graham Recycling Company
- Developing less carbon-intensive products, like our patented ThermaSet® PET packaging
- Strategically locating our facilities near our customers' facilities
- Reducing our overall energy usage as part of the Better Plants Program
Waste & Water
Managing Waste and Water Consumption
Operational waste and water consumption are two other important factors in the overall sustainability of our manufacturing facilities. We will continue to find new ways to conserve water by reusing wastewater and automating water management systems, while our initiatives around waste are largely centered on reducing our scrap and waste to landfill.
Learn More About Sustainable Operations at Graham
Our team actively works toward our sustainable manufacturing goals during each project and in every workday interaction. View our most recent Sustainability Report to see case studies and statistics related to our sustainability initiatives.
