Packaging solutions provider Berry Global Group has revealed significant progress in sustainability with key achievements in 2024.
The company has published its 2024 sustainability report, showcasing notable advancements while creating value for its stakeholders.
The report details Berry’s advancement towards a circular, net-zero economy through its Impact 2025 strategy, incorporating its three sustainability pillars: products, performance, and partners.
In the products category, the company increased purchases of post-consumer resin by 43% year-over-year (YoY), rising from 3.6% to 5.1% of total volume.
The company has boosted the recyclability of products such as redesigning Heinz’s ketchup closures, swapping silicone for a monomaterial polypropylene design.
Furthermore, Berry has ensured that 93% of its fast-moving consumer goods packaging is either recyclable or has a validated recyclable alternative, and it has increased bioplastics purchases by 130% YoY, from 0.6% to 1.5% overall volume.
On the performance front, Berry has reduced scope 1 and 2 absolute emissions by 28.3% compared to the 2019 baseline, surpassing its 25% reduction target for 2025.
The company has also increased its usage of clean energy by 31% YoY, offsetting 58,089 tonnes of carbon emissions.
It also teamed up with customers to use renewable energy in production, reducing both Berry’s scope 2 and its customers’ scope 3 emissions.
In terms of partnerships, Berry has achieved a 6% YoY reduction in its total recordable incident rate to 0.76%, which indicates an improvement in safety performance.
Berry is addressing recycling infrastructure challenges through strategic investments, including the Berry Circular Polymers facility in Leamington Spa, UK.
The facility is equipped with the company’s CleanStream technology to produce recycled plastic for contact-sensitive applications.
Berry sustainability senior vice-president Robert Flores said: “As we look to 2025 and beyond, we invite our stakeholders to join us in this journey as we work to create a world of innovative packaging solutions that make life better for the people and the planet while driving business success.”
The company noted that its sustainability progress has been recognised with an MSCI rating upgrade from A to AA.
Berry Global CEO Kevin Kwilinski said: “Our promise of ‘Innovation for the World, Solutions for You’ isn’t just a tagline – it’s the foundation of how we’re harnessing plastic’s benefits while accelerating the transition to a circular, net-zero economy.
“This alignment makes sustainability both a moral imperative and a key business driver for Berry.”
