Diageo publishes sustainable packaging guidelines

Diageo has published its first Sustainable Packaging Guidelines, representing the company’s global policy on ensuring its packaging is increasingly sustainable.

The guidelines define Diageo’s approach to sustainable packaging based on the common principles of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ and include examples of best practice.

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 and 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 optimizing packaging for recycling or reuse.

Diageo’s leading beverage brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Smirnoff, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo and Guinness.

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