Graphic Packaging Releases 2022 ESG Report

Graphic Packaging Holding Company published its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, demonstrating progress on all pillars in the company’s ESG Vision 2025.

The company achieved its climate intensity goals three years early and advanced decarbonization by seeking to set new, science-based climate targets to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions. Ethnic diversity reported among the company’s U.S. employee base was more than double the industry benchmark, underscoring its commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Graphic Packaging is aggressively pursuing a future fueled by renewable resources. Packaging solutions from the 27-country operation are made primarily with fibers from sustainably sourced trees or recycled materials. Nearly 65 percent of its energy is derived from renewable sources. Most of the company’s packaging today is designed to be recyclable, promoting a circular economy.

“We work relentlessly to develop resource-efficient and easily recyclable packaging solutions that use natural resources responsibly,” said president and CEO Michael P. Doss at Graphic Packaging. “We enable our customers — the world’s leading household brands — to shift toward more recyclable packaging. In addition to helping them meet their sustainability goals, we help shape how they think about packaging their products for the future.”

Highlights from the 2022 Graphic Packaging ESG report include:
Planet
• Achieved climate intensity goals three years early, paving way to setting science-based climate targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Diverted 1.1 million metric tons of waste from landfill, 85 percent of which was recovered paper waste that was recycled.

People
• 30 percent ethnic diversity among U.S. employees – 2.3 times the pulp and paper industry benchmark (per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022).
• Increased representation of women on the executive leadership team to 33 percent and in vice president roles to 29 percent, with a continued focus on expanding gender diversity.

Products and Partners
• One-third of fiber-based consumer packaging products were made using 100% recycled fiber content.
• On track toward goal of 100 percent of global facilities achieving compliance with a fiber certification standard, demonstrating support of sustainable forest management and sourcing practices for forest products.

Graphic Packaging participates in two global sustainability initiatives. Since 2021, the company has taken actions to establish carbon emission reduction goals aligned with climate science to limit global warming. The proposal has been under review with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) since early 2023. The company also remains committed to incorporating the 10 principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) into its business practices and to aligning its sustainability ambition with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“We are making progress every day, delivering positive outcomes for our people, our planet, and ultimately the growth and sustainability of our company,” said Michelle Fitzpatrick, chief sustainability officer. “Our purpose is to package life’s everyday moments for a renewable future. And we want every one of those moments to be inherently better for people and our planet.”

The new ESG report follows announcements in 2022 that Graphic Packaging was recognized as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek for the third year in a row. In addition, Graphic Packaging received a Gold medal rating from EcoVadis, which assesses companies on environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement, and it achieved a leadership rating for both its CDP climate and CDP water disclosures.