Packaging carbon footprint reduction from raw materials
Amcor announced the ‘Reducing CO2 Packaging’ Label from the Carbon Trust that can now be printed on Amcor packaging to demonstrate significant carbon footprint reductions. It’s part of the company’s lifecycle assessment service, which enables brands to measure their packaging’s carbon footprint from raw materials through end-of-use.
The announcement comes at a time when sustainability is an increasingly important factor in consumers’ purchasing decisions. Carbon labelling is a way for brands to demonstrate their contributions to a lower carbon economy.
Amcor has been leading in the packaging industry in lifecycle assessment expertise since pioneering its ASSET™ lifecycle assessment service over 10 years ago. Detailed packaging lifecycle reports provide fact-based criteria to identify lower environmental footprint options, enabling brand owners to make informed packaging decisions. The company conducts over 1,000 packaging assessments for its customers each year.
Communication of carbon reduction efforts to consumers
Starting in 2021, Amcor is expanding the service to now include the option for brands to carry the Carbon Trust’s carbon label on their packaging to independently communicate packaging carbon footprint reduction efforts to consumers. Qualification for the use of the label is based on the ability to demonstrate a carbon footprint reduction of 20% or more. The first Amcor customer pilot for this labelling service has been successfully completed in Europe, and roll-out will accelerate in coming months.
“Consumers are concerned about climate change and want to reward those brands that demonstrate they are taking action,” explains Gerald Rebitzer, Sustainability Director for Amcor Flexibles. “We work with customers to help them measure and reduce their packaging’s carbon footprint. This can be achieved by using lower-impact materials such as films made from plant-based material instead of fossil-fuels; by designing for recycling streams; light-weighting and other methods.”
Transparent information about the carbon footprint in packaging
Silvana Centty, Senior Manager at the Carbon Trust said: “It is great to see companies like Amcor develop tools to provide transparent carbon footprint information to their customers. Having a full understanding of where carbon reductions can be made in packaging is a step to lowering the environmental impact of a product. The ability for Amcor’s packaging to also include the Carbon Trust carbon label goes one step further in helping brands to communicate their carbon reduction efforts to end consumers.”
Every year, the Carbon Trust audits and certifies the methodology used in ASSET™, so brands can be assured that their lifecycle assessments are up-to-date and meet relevant industry standards.
