The document highlights how the company, which has a turnover of €4.2bn, was the first to meet EPEA (Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency) requirements for the assessment of two metal cans according to Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) standards.
Its case studies include launching a heat exchange pilot programme with Coca Cola at the Dongen Glass Plant in the Netherlands and delivering an educational programme on recycling to 4,500 Polish children.
Further progress
Steffen Seehausen, group sustainability manager, Ardagh Group, told FoodProductionDaily there is always scope for further progress to be made and it is still in the process of setting up and refining its initiatives.
“In 2013, Ardagh Group defined and agreed environmental long term targets by Division, Region & Territory. This measure will contribute to delivering our group sustainability targets laid out in the Report,” he said.
“In 2014, we will continue to build on the progress outlined in our 2013 Sustainability Report with ongoing improvements and initiatives.
“All territories have outlined plans and programs to achieve the defined targets and are now actively working on these.”
2017 targets
He added all its metal plants have adopted a group operational excellence process to reduce energy consumption, in line with its 2017 long term targets (14% energy conservation by 2017).
“In our glass division, ongoing furnace repairs and operational excellence programmes are helping to reduce energy consumption and reduce emissions of SOx, NOx and CO2.
“We are also increasing our focus on the area of Corporate Social Responsibility, by expanding our commitment to the use of social and ethical platforms,” he said.
“We are a global member of Sedex and EcoVardis, not-for-profit membership organisations for sustainable supply chain management and procurement, driving improvements in ethical and responsible business practices in global supply chains.
“We also participate in the Carbon Disclosure Project, an international, not-for-profit organisation providing the only global system for companies to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information.”
Critical area
Seehausen added sustainability has only recently become a critical area of focus for most businesses.
“At Ardagh, we are still in the process of setting up and refining our programmes and initiatives. This process is overarching the value chain, which means it is complex and includes partners that are independent and have their own priorities and projects.
“It is through constructive interaction, in partnership with other stakeholders that we are now targeting further improvements.”
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