The positive impact of responsibly sourced packaging materials

In a recent report by Global Web Index, 42% of U.S. and UK consumers said products that use more sustainable materials are important in their day-to-day purchasing. This is just one of the myriad statistics underscoring the importance of brands proving to consumers, in a genuine way, that they are committed to protecting the planet.

Choosing more sustainable packaging is one way that brands can meet their environmental goals and drive brand-customer affinity. For some, that means minimizing the amount of secondary packaging used. For others, it means switching to a different type of packaging altogether to reduce carbon footprint.

When reviewing packaging choices, it’s important that alternatives are not contributing to new or different environmental or social concerns – and one lever is using responsibly sourced materials.

The benefits of independent certification

This is where independent, third-party certification comes in. Amcor works with its suppliers and trusted third parties to ensure that labor practices, forest management, environmental controls, mining activities, and agricultural management are upheld to the highest environmental, social and ethical standards.

For brands, the use of certified responsibly sourced materials can be communicated directly on packaging, using labelling that is clear and credible. This bolsters brand reputation and prevents consumers from being misled or confused by vague language.

So, what are some of these certifications and how do they positively impact the planet and the stakeholders affected by the value chain?

Keep reading to find out 2 of the most common sourcing certifications we seek out for raw materials.

1. Bonsucro

Bonsucro is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the environmental and social impacts of sugarcane production, while recognizing the need for economic viability.

Sugarcane is not only used as table sugar, but also in the production of foods, sweetened beverages, livestock feed, and bio-based polyethylene (PE) which can be used to make packaging in place of traditional PE.

The Bonsucro Production Standard sets measurable objectives which farms, mills and sugarcane processors must meet. It addresses key sustainability issues specifically related to the sugarcane sector such as farming and milling technical efficiencies, health and safety conditions of workers, protection of lands with high biodiversity, and engagement with local communities.

Last year, a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal, revealed how global adoption of Bonsucro's Standard could halve greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in sugarcane production.

With GHG emissions at the highest levels in history, the report highlights Bonsucro's ability to provide scalable solutions to tackle climate change – and the important role brands play in switching to more sustainable packaging solutions which are better for the planet.

Product spotlight: Bio-Based Coffee Packaging

By switching to a pack with 57% bio-based PE certified by Bonsucro, leading coffee brand Löfbergs achieved a 30% carbon footprint reduction over the original version. The new pack is also recyclable in the polyolefin stream in countries where collection and recycling systems exist.

Related read: 🎥 Lofbergs | Reducing coffee packaging's carbon footprint by 30%

2. Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI)

Started in 2012, the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative created the first ever Performance Standard for the aluminium industry. The ASI certification was then launched in 2017 to certify aluminum produced and sourced in accordance with ASI’s Standards, which ensure that sustainability and human rights issues are embedded in the aluminum supply chain.

Five of Amcor’s facilities in Germany, France and Switzerland have already been successfully certified to meet ASI’s Performance Standard and Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard for responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminum with a focus on material stewardship. The ASI CoC Standard complements the ASI Performance Standard, providing greater transparency across the supply chain from mining through to downstream sectors that use aluminium in their products.

Amcor uses aluminium to produce packaging products such as containers for wet pet food, coffee capsules, and peel-off-ends for metal cans.

Product spotlight: Aluminium Capsule Materials

Amcor’s high barrier aluminium capsules with responsibly sourced aluminium offer brands a flexible solution that meets consumer demand for sustainability and a premium experience from shelf to coffee cup.

Want to learn more about certified packaging? Making the switch to more sustainable packaging offers brands the opportunity to make progress on their sustainability strategies and share meaningful claims with consumers.

And the use of responsibly sourced materials is just one of the options we offer to make your packaging more sustainable. On our journey to our 2025 pledge we are already providing brands with more sustainable packaging solutions, including reusable, compostable, and recyclable packaging.