Consumer Goods Technology - July 2008 - (Page 19)

F E AT U R E S TO RY Setting Sustainable Goals HEINZ TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS 20 PERCENT BY 2015 Sustainability is in the DNA of H. J. Heinz Company. Company founder, H.J. Heinz, demonstrated commitment to quality and purity 140 years ago by packaging first product, horseradish, in clear glass. Today, sustainability is a board-level priority at Heinz, with a designated board Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee. “Heinz’s philosophy on sustainability is to implement processes that make improvements in each functional area of our business,” says Brian Shuttleworth, director of operational risk management and sustainability, Heinz World Headquarters. “Our approach is holistic so that the combined efforts of all enable us to be comprehensive and have the greatest impact on furthering sustainability within the Heinz culture.” Strategies are in place at Heinz to cover all areas of sustainability. Efforts encompass products, starting with a hybrid tomato seed program, organic, and health and wellness offerings. Packaging programs address right sizing and recyclability content to reduce the amount of carbon utilized. Internal manufacturCONSUMER GOODS TECHNOLOGY | J U LY 2 0 0 8 ing programs are based on six sigma principles that ensure products are manufactured in a highly efficient manner. And green IT initiatives reduce paper, ink and energy used by printers, copiers and computers. THE NEXT FRONTIER In May 2008, Heinz announced a milestone company goal as part of its sustainability vision: to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2015. “We have established this global goal to improve our carbon footprint in all areas of our supply chain,” says Shuttleworth. Heinz is focusing on eight specific areas to achieve this overall goal: • Energy consumption: 20 percent reduction through improved operational efficiency • Packaging: 15 percent reduction by the introduction of alternative packHeinz demonstrated commitment to quality and purity 140 years ago by packaging its first product in clear glass, a tradition that carries on today. | W W W. C O N S U M E R G O O D S . C O M aging materials and reduction of existing packaging use • Transportation: 10 percent reduction through improved efficiency of distribution network • Renewable energy: 15 percent to come from sources like solar, biomass and bio-gas • Agriculture: 15 percent reduction of both carbon footprint and water usage, improvement of yields by 5 percent by way of hybrid tomato seeds that require less water, fertilizer, pesticides and fuel to harvest • Water: 20 percent reduction through reuse and improved sanitation techniques • Solid waste: 20 percent reduction through increased recycling and reuse of waste • Employees: Increase engagement via a voluntary personal sustainability campaign Initiatives are underway to achieve these targets, like using potato peels to generate energy and save water; conserving fuel globally; expanding growing regions for “green” tomatoes; and reducing waste through recycling. “There are no secrets or blueprints for becoming green,” says Shuttleworth. “All consumer goods companies will have different approaches to becoming more green. Heinz feels it has the right approach.” — B Y A L L I S TO N AC K E R M A N 19 http://www.heinz.com http://www.heinz.com http://WWW.CONSUMERGOODS.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Consumer Goods Technology - July 2008

Consumer Goods Technology - July 2008 Contents Edit Note Insights Special Report Catching Up With... Energy-Minded Efficiency Waste to Wonder Greater Good Natural Business Built to Last Setting Sustainable Goals Sustainability, Part 2 CGT Events Between the Lines

Consumer Goods Technology - July 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.