Curtis Packaging Joins Sustainable Packaging Coalition

Curtis Packaging recently joined the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) to expand its industry-leading commitment to eco-friendly packaging production and to encourage other companies to be more environmentally active.

The purpose of the SPC is spelled out in the group’s mission statement: “Our mission is to advocate and communicate a positive, robust environmental vision for packaging and to support innovative, functional packaging materials and systems that promote economic and environmental health through supply chain collaboration.”

Donald R. Droppo, Jr, vice president of sales and marketing at Curtis Packaging, says that the SPC’s goals are completely inline with his company’s objectives.

“Curtis Packaging already lives up to the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s definition of an outstanding environmental citizen,” he said. “We use renewable energy exclusively, 85 percent of which is wind power. We are one of the few packaging companies in North America to be certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council and have been commended by the EPA for our strong commitment to using replenishable resources.”

The SPC defines sustainable packaging with eight key points:

*Is beneficial, safe, and healthy for individuals and communities throughout its life cycle;

*Meets market criteria for performance and cost;

*Is sourced, manufactured, transported, and recycled using renewable energy;

*Maximizes the use of renewable or recycled source materials;

*Is manufactured using clean production technologies and best practices;

*Is made from materials healthy in all probable end of life scenarios;

*Is physically designed to optimize materials and energy;

*Is effectively recovered and utilized in biological and/or industrial cradle to cradle cycles.

“These are the rules we need to live and grow by, if we want our planet to sustain and thrive in the centuries ahead,” Mr Droppo added. “That’s a message we will convey to our clients and one that our clients can communicate to their customers. That builds awareness on the corporate level and on the consumer level as well, connecting everyone with the message. That’s why Curtis Packaging is proud to join companies like Kraft Foods, Starbucks, and Microsoft as a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.”