US-based packaging manufacturer Berry Global Group, Inc has reduced its operational (Scope 1 and 2) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by a sharp 21 per cent in 2022, expecting to achieve its science-based target of a 25 per cent reduction from 2019 prior to its 2025 goal, as per its report.
Around 79 per cent of Berry’s fast-moving consumer products are now reusable, recyclable, and/or compostable and its European flexible films division more than doubled the use of recycled content in packaging products to 10,500 metric tons, according to the company’s 2022 Impact Report.
The company made significant environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strides in 2022, compared to 2021. Berry increased purchase of post-consumer recycled plastic by 28 per cent thanks to significant customer collaborations and increased circular plastic purchased by 21 per cent through investments in Berry Circular Polymers and partnerships with key resin suppliers. The Scope 3 GHG emissions target was achieved four years in advance and the target was increased accordingly. Scope 1 and 2 (operational) GHG emissions were reduced by 5 per cent and Scope 3 (value chain) GHG emissions by 5 per cent. The number of suppliers evaluated in Berry’s risk management software was increased by 353 per cent, scoring each company on environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.
To date, Berry has reduced Scope 3 GHG emissions from its supply chain by 9 per cent. The company also reported an overall reduction in product weight, landfill waste, and water use.
“With growth and leadership comes responsibility. We take our role as a responsible corporate citizen seriously—throughout our company and across the global value chain,” said Tom Salmon, CEO and chairman of the board at Berry Global. “The compilation of efforts from our 46,000 team members to prioritise our ESG commitments is evident at every level of our business, from making meaningful progress toward achieving our climate change goals to bolstering our commitment to safety with a Total Recordable Incident Rate considerably below the industry average.”