Packaging giant Amcor reports increases in profits and carbon emissions, as waste to landfill reduces 60 percent
By Anna Game-Lopata | October 18, 2011
Amcor has released its second annual sustainability report showing the company’s achievements and goals in the area.
In the report, the largest packaging company in the world details its sustainability efforts in five key areas including economy, marketplace, environment, workplace and community.
It also and demonstrates how Amcor’s sustainability risks and opportunities are identified.
Prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines and AccountAbility’s AA1000 Assurance Standard, the report finds greenhouse gas emissions
from the company’s plants
have increased.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ken Mackenzie puts this down to the company’s purchase of Alcan Packaging last year.
“We have reported an increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity for the new Amcor, however, this increase is largely due to the recent acquisition of a more greenhouse gas intensive product portfolio,” he says.
“For the legacy Amcor sites, our GHG intensity continued the downward trend, finishing 4.5 percent below our FY2005/06 baseline but falling short of our five-year reduction target of 10 percent.
Given the company’s main focus on packaging, waste reduction to landfill is a different story.
The report announces a 59 percent reduction in waste to landfi ll from its FY2005/06 and a 46 percent reduction in town water use intensity in Australasia from its FY2005/06 baseline.
“Our responsible packaging innovations continued to be valued by customers and were recognised through external awards around the world,” Mackenzie says.
“Also, our Talent through Diversity Policy was launched this year, to promote and uphold our approach to diversity in the workplace.
“Our focus on safety across all of Amcor’s business groups has resulted in an overall improvement in performance.
“However, we can not be complacent – we will continue to emphasise the importance of safety systems, training and building our safety culture in pursuit of our goal of No Injuries.
“This year also marked the tenth anniversary of our partnership with the not-for-profit environmental organisation, Earthwatch.
“We are proud of our direct support for conservation research and the efforts of our employees as volunteers in the field.
Amcor launched its new five-year EnviroAction reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste to landfill on June 5, this year, World Environment Day.
Objectives for 2012 include the enhancement of internal reporting and communication regarding EnviroAction performance, the establishment of corporate sustainability standards for suppliers and integrating corporate procurement plans and programs.
“Amcor has commenced discussions with the Procurement Leadership Team about the development of sustainability standards for suppliers,” the report states.
“Our Flexibles Europe & Americas business commenced sustainability assessments of suppliers in
coordination with its procurement team.”
In FY2010/11, Amcor achieved record earnings performance, with profit after tax up 39 percent to $570.3 million despite a challenging operating environment.
“Raw material costs were higher and the much-appreciated Australian currency had an adverse impact on our reported earnings,” Mackenzie says.
“The benefits anticipated from our acquisition of the Alcan Packaging sites met market expectations and will underpin earnings growth over the next two years.”
“We know that securing our social licence to operate relies on our reputation for social responsibility,” Mackenzie adds.
“As one of our core values, Social Responsibility, along with Safety, Talent, Teamwork and Innovation underpin our approach to sustainability and form the foundation of who we are and how we behave at Amcor.
“The results and plans detailed in this year’s Sustainability Report clearly demonstrate how we live our value of Social Responsibility at Amcor.”
Amcor has been internationally recognised as a sustainability leader, with inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, the FTSE4Good Index and the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index.
The integrity of the company’s 2011 Sustainability Report has been independently assessed by Netbalance, one of the largest providers of sustainability advice, assurance, and research in Australia.