Report for 2018/2019 includes vision for circular economy
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) publishes a detailed sustainability report every two years. The seventh edition has now been published. The report for 2018 and 2019 documents important milestones that the beverage can manufacturer has achieved by improving the ecological profile and sustainability of its products and activities. These include the agreement of ambitious CO2 reduction targets based on scientific knowledge, trend-setting renewable energy contracts in North America and Europe, the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certification in the EMEA region, which ensures responsible aluminum extraction, and the introduction of the award-winning, almost infinitely recyclable Ball Aluminum Cup ™.
"With our commitment to sustainability, we initiate profound change processes not only within our company, but also in the entire industry," says John A. Hayes, Chairman, President and CEO at Ball. "Our aim is to maintain our business activities and products in the long term to be sustainable - in ecological, social and economic terms. We are happy to report on our progress and at the same time share our vision of an increasingly better functioning circular economy. ”
In addition to the detailed report on the progress towards the sustainability goals for 2020, the company shows what role it plays in the transition to a real circular economy and presents a model with which the industry can bring about an ambitious circulatory system. It aims at the collection of all packaging, an increased responsibility from manufacturers and an improved sorting infrastructure. Ball has also presented a new, expert-verified comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of the most common beverage packaging materials. This is intended to record your own progress towards a circular economy and to advance circular thinking in the beverage industry. Among other things, the study shows that real recycling is the decisive factor when it comes to the environmental friendliness and recyclability of packaging materials.
"Sustainability is a prerequisite for our economic growth," says Kathleen Pitre, Ball's Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer. "With the growing waste crisis, both our customers and consumers recognize that we urgently need to move towards a real circular economy. With almost infinitely recyclable aluminum packaging, Ball offers sustainable and realistic solutions to the challenges our customers are facing, and is therefore trend-setting for the entire industry. ”
The report also provides detailed information on Ball's common good initiatives, diversity and inclusion. The report also reports on the company's progress towards four of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that Ball focuses on: sustainable consumption and production, climate change mitigation, clean water and sanitation, and partnerships to help achieve that Aims. Ball will continue to strive to achieve both the SDGs and the sustainability goals it has set itself and to document its progress transparently. It is Ball's concern to accelerate the transition to a circular economy and thus work for a better, more sustainable planet.
