Berry Global Group, Inc. recently announced that it is ahead of schedule for its Impact 2025 sustainability strategy. In addition, the company has released its 2019 Impact Report and GRI Index, both of which highlight Berry’s Impact 2025 strategy and achievements.
“We are making tremendous progress towards our goals,” said Tom Salmon, chairman and CEO. “We plan to continue to build on the success we had in 2019 as we work to maximize our positive impacts and lead the transition to a more circular economy.”
Berry’s GRI Index was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards Core option. GRI is the most widely used framework for sustainability reporting used by businesses, governments, and other organizations. Notable statistics in support of Impact 2025 from the company’s GRI Index include (all intensity metrics are normalized using production volume):
- Recycled content—Berry set a new record for annual usage of post-consumer plastic in fiscal year 2019 of 70,000 metric tons (154 million pounds). Much of the increase was driven by the company’s acquisition of RPC, which is included on a pro forma basis.
- Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)—Berry continued its long-term reduction in Scope 1+2 GHG emissions intensity, having reduced its intensity 3% year-over-year and 46% since the company began measuring its carbon footprint in 2008. Berry is ahead of schedule for achieving its science-based target of a 25% reduction in Scope 1+2 GHG emissions intensity by 2025, having already achieved a 14% reduction vs. its 2016 baseline.
- Landfill waste—Berry realized a 13% reduction in its landfill waste intensity from 2018 to 2019. This exceeds the company’s goal of a 5% reduction year-over-year.
- Energy—For the year, Berry reduced its energy intensity by 3% compared to 2018. This exceeds the company’s goal of a 1% year-over-year reduction.
- Water—In 2019, the company decreased absolute water intensity by 12% from 2018, far exceeding the 1% year-over-year reduction target.
“2019 was a transformative year for Berry—from announcing our sustainability strategy, Impact 2025, to launching the Alliance to End Plastic Waste as a founding member to joining the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastics Economy working group as a Global Commitment signatory,” said Robert Flores, vice president of Sustainability. “I am proud of what we have been able to collectively achieve, and I am excited to share our progress with you.”
The reports and additional information are available at www.berryglobal.com.
