Diageo publishes first sustainable packaging guidelines

This week Diageo took a further step on our journey to becoming a truly sustainable business with the publication of our first Sustainable Packaging Guidelines. Representing our global policy on ensuring our packaging is increasingly sustainable, the guidelines reflect Diageo’s commitment to a holistic approach to reducing our overall impact on the environment across the whole of our value chain – from barley for the breweries to the bottle in the bin – and at the same time support our customers and consumers desire for more sustainable living.

Packaging has an environmental impact throughout its life – from supplier through to consumer – and our vision is to manage and reduce the impact of our packaging at every stage. The guidelines, developed by a cross functional team, define our approach to sustainable packaging based on the common principles of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ and include examples of best practice as well as recognition that working with suppliers and other stakeholders is key to delivering our ambitions.

Commenting on the publication of the guidelines, Andy Fennell, chief marketing officer, said:

“Packaging is vital in delivering and protecting our valuable brands – and increasingly customers and consumers are demanding more sustainable packs from all leading consumer goods companies. Wal-Mart, for example, has established a comprehensive packaging scorecard on which suppliers are evaluated. These new guidelines will be adopted throughout our business to ensure we drive year on year improvements. ”

David Gosnell, president global supply & procurement, added:

“This is an important milestone that will ensure a consistent approach to developing new packaging and reviewing existing packs. The guidelines will not only help us meet our stretching sustainable packaging targets for 2015 but also support our engagement with customers and consumers – and further embed our position as corporate leaders in environmental sustainability.”

Diageo’s commitment to sustainable packaging includes identifying the potential for light weighting packaging, increasing the use of recycled content and optimising packaging for recycling or reuse.

For further information on Diageo’s Sustainability & Responsibility strategy and to download our brochure about our journey to environmental sustainability visit Diageo’s Sustainability & Responsibility Report 2011.