In Wienerberger’s recently launched Sustainability Strategy ‘Let’s Build Beyond’, we outline the need to tackle resource scarcity in order to safeguard our planet. To reduce raw material consumption across our business, we focus on product design, manufacturing efficiency and the packaging materials which help to protect and securely transport our UK manufactured goods.
We aim to reduce raw material consumption through a phased reduction in plastic packaging, targeting 30% less by 2023 compared to 2019 levels.
Over the last several months, Wienerberger’s procurement, operations and H&S teams have collaborated with customers and logistics partners to reduce the volume of plastic packaging materials (foils) used and have undertaken extensive trials of both reduced foil thickness and foil-free packaging.
In the interim, we have made the bold decision to remove the coloured ink from our plastic packaging. Removing coloured ink means the plastic packaging can be recycled as a higher-grade material, ultimately reducing society’s reliance on virgin raw materials. This is part of Wienerberger’s effort to facilitate a circular economy, and in future we will trial collections of used materials from customers to recycle the plastic into new Wienerberger packaging.
Head of Sustainability Stephanie Palmer commented “We continue to work hard to reduce our consumption of plastic packaging. Our decision to use unprinted plastic packaging improves the packaging’s recyclability and complements our commitment to reduce overall plastic packaging consumption by 30% by 2023. By meeting this target, Wienerberger will prevent 180 tonnes of plastic entering the construction sector supply chain”
Kevin Perkins, Head of Procurement added “This will also reduce lead times and minimise the risk to the supply chain as it is significantly easier to manufacture than printed alternatives. It is also easier to move foils between sites for trials or during supply challenges, without the limitations of site-specific printing.”
Each pallet load with clear unprinted foils where a logo used to be, will instead be marked by easily removable paper labels which contain the same information normally printed onto the plastic packaging, indicate the product name, details, and handling advice.
To find out more about our new sustainability strategy, click here.