Golden Circle is a finalist for the Most Innovative Solution in Packaging Waste Management Award, sponsored by Heidelberg.
The company has created a corporate culture in which environmental matters are at the forefront of people’s minds and, as a result, their actions.
Ecoefficiency teams reduce energy used in everyday operations and recycling is second-nature to Golden Circle employees.
This has been achieved partly through the company’s newsletter, The Pine Times, a quarterly publication available to all employees at Golden Circle.
In addition, the latest National Packaging Covenant (NPC) Annual Reports are available internally on the Golden Circle email system via the Environment Guide to Golden Circle Employees, a communication tool developed by the Environment Department to alert staff to pertinent environmental issues such as NPC requirements.
In terms of its products, Golden Circle has made changes to caps, saving on waste to landfill.
During 2006, Visy commenced the supply of new caps for all PET products.
These caps do not need an induction seal or white layer pad on the bottom.
The new polypropylene shells with PET foam are more recyclable than the old caps.
The volume of material reduced will be reported in the NPC Action Plan Report for 2007.
New caps for baby food use less lacquer than previously, decreasing the overall packaging for this product.
Golden Circle has also implemented a ‘buy recycled’ policy that ensures recycled containers are considered for products and the company has commenced sourcing of 25% recycled PET containers to replace current PET containers.
Site wide use of 25% recycled PET is expected to be fully implemented before the company’s Action Plan Report for 2007.
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