Crown takes steps towards a sustainable future

Image: Crown

Crown has released its 2017 Sustainability Report to demonstrate the progress it has made on its sustainability journey. Metrics published in the report include decreased aluminium usage, lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced VOC and NOx emissions and zero work-related fatalities.

Titled “Infinite Innovation,” the report illuminates the company’s strides in the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainability. It also documents Crown’s efforts in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 to do more with less as unit volume production has increased and its geographic footprint has expanded.

Data resulting from assets gained during the acquisitions of Mivisa and Empaque has also been included for the first time in Crown’s sustainability reporting.

The hallmark of Crown’s sustainability story is its primary product – metal packaging. Composed of natural elements that maintain their physical properties forever, metal packaging is a powerful example of a circular economy at work.

Once metal enters the material-to-material loop, it will always be available for future generations. Other critical benefits of the format, including its role in minimising food waste due to its robust barrier properties and its long shelf life, are also included in the report.

Timothy Donahue, president and chief executive officer, said: “As our new sustainability report shows, there is a lot to be proud of at Crown. Along with significant progress towards our stated 2020 sustainability goals, we have achieved significant reductions in several key environmental metrics even as beverage can production has increased by 50% during the ten year span of our sustainability reporting.

“Our workforce’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and their desire to be a good corporate citizen to the communities where we work and live have been instrumental to our progress on our sustainability journey.”

Key accomplishments include:

  • Exceeding its 2020 goal to reduce energy consumption by 5% per billion standard units of production from 2015 levels. As of 31 December 2016, energy consumption has been reduced by 5.3% per billion standard units.
  • Across its span of sustainability reporting (2007-2016), per standard production unit Crown has:
    • Reduced aluminium usage by 4%.
    • Decreased direct GHG emissions by 10% and indirect GHG emissions by 8%.
    • Lowered VOC emissions by 17% and reduced NOx emissions by 18%.
    • Decreased waste to landfill by 49%.
    • Had zero work-related fatalities.

The 2017 report has been structured using the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) G4 Guidelines. It is available at https://sustainability.crowncork.com.

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