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Phone GWP Group - 01793 754 444
01793 754 444
Mon - Fri / 08.00 - 17.00
Email GWP Group - info@gwp.co.uk
info@gwp.co.uk
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GWP Packaging

Corrugated cardboard packaging expertise and innovation

GWP Protective

Widest range of protective cases with custom foam in the UK

GWP-Correx

UK leading independent Correx® packaging manufacturer

GWP Conductive

Providing cutting edge ESD safe packaging for 30+ years

GWP Coatings

Supplying sheet plants with coated corrugated material

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Sustainability reporting and targets

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If you are a customer, supplier, part of the local community, or interested in working with GWP, the following sustainability reporting provides details of GWP’s carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainability reporting includes Scope 1 and 2 emissions that GWP is directly responsible for. Scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources. Scope 2 includes indirect emissions from the purchase of electricity, heating and cooling. Figures are independently verified by an external consultant and produced to the ISO-14064-1 standard.

GWP publish these figures in the spirit of complete transparency, even in the knowledge that there is still more the business can do to improve long-term sustainability.

Scope 1 and 2 emissions

The following table shows GWP’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions, reported as percentages. These figures cover direct emissions and indirect emissions from the purchase of energy.

GWP Scope 1 and 2 emissions graph

About these figures

Please note these figures apply to 2022 (January to December).

GWP identified all qualifying activities and facilities before reporting in line with Scope 1 and 2 of the SECR regulation.

EcoAct audited the data’s validity, accuracy and completeness to calculate the GHG emissions for both GWP and the wider Macfarlane Group. Calculations meet the requirements of the ISO-14064-1 standard.

Steps GWP are taking to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions

GWP aims to minimise its operational impact on the environment and is committed to reducing greenhouse gas (‘GHG’) emissions.

The figures from the emissions report provide several opportunities where GWP can continue to minimise emissions and environmental impact.

Electric

Electric use makes up approximately 38% of GWP’s carbon emissions.

As a manufacturer, the equipment used to produce customers’ packaging is relatively energy intensive. However, having invested significant sums in modern equipment, GWP is confident that production processes are more efficient than most competitors.

However, to further minimise environmental impact, GWP is committed to the following:

  • Installing solar panels by the end of 2023 (expected to generate up to a third of electricity use).
  • Undertaking an ESOS audit to discover further efficiency opportunities.
  • Installing light sensors to complement a switch to LED lighting.
  • Paying a premium to source residual renewable energy from the grid through utilities providers.

You can view further details of the steps GWP is taking to reduce emissions from energy use in the environment section.

Solar panels
GWP aim to install solar panels at its Cricklade site by the end of 2023.

Vehicle emissions

Emissions from GWPs’ fleet of delivery vehicles account for approximately 36% of total scope 1 and 2 emissions.

To address this, whilst maintaining the high levels of service that your business relies on, GWP is implementing the following:

  • Adding a fully electric 3.5-tonne Luton van to the delivery fleet by Q2 2023 (annual tCO2e saving approx XXper year).
  • Half of GWP company cars to be electric by 2030.
  • Installing new electric charging points at GWP’s Cricklade site to support the switch to electric vehicles.
  • Launching a driver incentive scheme to promote optimal driving behaviour and reduce fuel consumption.
  • Use advanced routing software to efficiently plan loads and routes when delivering to customers.
  • Liaise directly with customers to review delivery dates and schedules.

For further details of how GWP plans to manage transport and minimise emissions moving forward, please view the environment section of this guide.

Macfarlane Packaging electric delivery vehicle
GWP take delivery of its first fully electric delivery vehicle - a 3.5 tonne Luton van - by the end of May 2023.

LPG

LPG (liquified petroleum gas), used to power GWP’s fleet of forklift trucks, accounts for approximately 8% of total scope 1 and 2 emissions.

To reduce this, GWP is to:

  • Potentially replace existing forklifts with electric equivalents at the end of current lease agreements.
  • Implement improved warehouse organisation and scanning systems to minimise distances travelled.

Gas

Gas and oil used for heating offices and production areas account for approximately 12 per cent of total emissions at GWP.

Steps to potentially reduce this include:

  • Exploring the possibility of installing a new, energy-efficient boiler and heating system.
  • Ensuring staff have appropriate uniforms for varying conditions.
  • Undertaking an ESOS audit to highlight any efficiency gains (e.g. building insulation).

Scope 3 emissions

Scope 3 emissions represent carbon emissions across the value chain, like material extraction and manufacturing, all transport throughout the lifecycle, product use and end of life. Although these are outside the direct control of GWP, it is recognised that they represent a significant proportion of emissions. GWP has therefore started to assess its Scope 3 emissions and has begun to take the following actions to address.

About Scope 3 reporting

Scope 3 encompasses emissions not produced by and not the result of activities from assets owned or controlled by GWP. Instead, it covers emissions indirectly responsible for up and down the value chain.

GWP’s scope 3 figures remain a work in progress. Data includes the emissions associated with the material used to manufacture packaging. It does not currently contain info on non-product procurement, upstream distribution, downstream distribution, or capital or leased goods.

These figures will be updated as GWP gathers and audits the required information.

Steps GWP are taking to reduce Scope 3 emissions

GWP aims to minimise its operational impact on the environment and is committed to reducing greenhouse gas (‘GHG’) emissions.

The figures from the emissions report provide several opportunities where GWP can continue to minimise emissions and environmental impact.

Paper

When considering current calculations, the paper (i.e. corrugated cardboard) used to manufacture accounts for approximately two-thirds of GWP’s scope 3 emissions.

To help reduce the overall emissions this generates, GWP is committed to the following:

  • Sourcing material from suppliers with robust sustainability targets and practices.
  • Using FSC-certified material by default.
  • Designing packaging that minimises material use without sacrificing performance.
  • Using lighter-weight papers where this does not compromise the strength, appearance or protection offered by your packaging.
  • Ensuring recycling of all waste and offcuts as part of a circular, closed-loop setup.
Stack of corrugated cardboard sheets
GWP utilise FSC certified material by default.

Plastics and foam

Plastics, including Correx, foam and other materials used for packaging production, account for around a quarter of tCO2e emissions when considering current scope 1, 2 and 3 calculations.

To minimise the short-term impact, and lower emissions over the longer term, GWP aims to:

  • Ensure the use of plastics only where reusability is a crucial driver of sustainability (and not for single-trip applications).
  • Conduct product life cycle assessments (LCA) to determine when returnable packaging is more sustainable than single-trip options.
  • Ensure all waste material is collected and recycled where appropriate.
  • Use material with at least 30% recycled content where possible.
  • Explore options for replacing plastics with paper-based alternatives where this does not impact packaging performance or excessive use of paper.
Orange and black Plastazote foam inserts
GWP are exploring options to improve the sustainability of plastics and packaging foams.

Wood

GWP uses wood as part of certain packaging products. Mainly, however, wood is used as pallets to ship products to customers.

Although only accounting for around 1.5% of total emissions (based on current calculations), GWP is taking steps to ensure that:

  • Pallets are returned to GWP to ensure use over multiple journeys.
  • Consideration of pallet-less deliveries where appropriate.
  • Ensure any timber used originates from sustainable sources (e.g. FSC).

The future

Besides the immediate steps to limit the business’s environmental impact, GWP is also exploring several longer-term plans.

Scope 3 analysis

As part of Macfarlane, GWP is exploring options for engaging a third party to allow for fully identifying and auditing all scope 3 emissions across the business. Doing so will allow GWP to measure, manage and reduce carbon footprint and provide support throughout the carbon reduction journey.

Offsetting

The scientific and widely accepted definition of net zero is to reduce carbon emissions by at least 90% before offsetting any other emissions.

As such, and at this time, GWP does not believe that offsetting through purchasing carbon credits is the best way to reduce environmental impact.

Pine forest
GWP have no plans at present to engage in carbon offsetting, preferring a programme of reduction instead.

GWP and the wider Macfarlane Group are determined to avoid any element of “greenwashing”. Simply offsetting carbon emissions with little improvement of practices is not a sustainable approach.

Whilst carbon capture has merits and value, GWP aims to exhaust all other avenues to reduce emissions first. This focus includes improved efficiency, minimising energy use, switching to new technologies and renewables, working with suppliers that share GWP’s goals, and continuing to develop the product portfolio your business can source.

Find out more

Phone GWP Group

01793 754 444

Mon – Fri 08.00 – 17.00

Email GWP Group

info@gwp.co.uk

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