|
|
From
the ITW Hi-Cone Courier newsletter
Issue XVI, Spring 2007
Hi-Cone Featured
at Wal-Mart Sustainable Packaging Expo
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Retail
powerhouse Wal-Mart is engaged in an aggressive initiative to achieve
a 5 percent reduction in packaging by 2013. On March 12, the company hosted
its second annual Sustainable Packaging Exposition, and Hi-Cone was invited
to participate with about 135 other suppliers.
“Wal-Mart
has made a commitment to reducing waste in packaging in order to sustain
our resources and environment and reduce total system costs,” said
Matt Kistler, senior vice president for marketing, research and insights
for Sam’s Club and captain of Wal-Mart’s Package Sustainability
Network, in a company news release. “We are in a unique position
to drive positive change in the area of sustain-ability by working with
our suppliers.”
According
to the Sustainable Packing Coalition, based in Charlottesville, Va., key
elements of sustainable packaging include maximizing the use of recycled
or renewable source materials, producing with clean manufacturing technologies,
and optimizing efficiencies in materials and energy utilization.
|
|
At the Expo, Hi-Cone and other packaging suppliers showed some 3,000 product
vendors their alternatives to traditional packaging. Packaging companies
were selected to exhibit on the basis of their abilities to use renewable
resources in their packaging, increase the recycled content of their materials,
and replace clamshells composed of non-recoverable materials. Wal-Mart has
implemented a scorecard system in which suppliers provide data on their
packaging and identify ways to improve the overall environmental impact.
In 2008, approximately 1,000 Wal-Mart buyers will be able to use the scorecard
to make informed purchasing decisions.
Hi-Cone displayed several of its multi-pack beverage carriers and distributed
a one-page handout detailing the environmental benefits of Hi-Cone packaging.
There were several photo-degraded ring carriers on hand to help show attendees
how the carriers break apart when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet
rays.
“Without question, the degraded carrier created a ‘wow’
impact on those who sampled it personally,” said Matt Hayden, Hi-Cone’s
manager sustainability and environmental affairs. “Having their attention
focused on the degraded carrier, we were able to quickly make additional
points about minimal packaging, cost-effective billboard orientation, handling
features and other major Hi-Cone attributes.”
Hayden said many Expo attendees were unaware Hi-Cone carriers are photodegradable,
and they were enthused about the potential of Hi-Cone products to help them
meet Wal-Mart’s sustainability guidelines.
“Reducing packaging plays to our strength,” said Hayden. “If
you run packaging options through an environmental filter, the primary driver
of environmental benefit is mass, where less is always better. The package
built from the least material that delivers your objective wins. There is
no better beverage packaging option than Hi-Cone for multiples up to 12
that satisfies environmental concerns while at the same time helping customers
maximize the shelf appeal of their products,” he said. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
