ATLANTA, Nov. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Graphic
Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), (the
"Company" or "Graphic Packaging"), announced today that it has
published its 2019 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
Report. With this report, the Company has provided additional
disclosures using the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board
(SASB) reporting framework and has committed to a broader set of
environmental, social and governance initiatives.
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"Our sustainability reporting continues to exhibit transparency
on topics that matter most to investors, customers, employees and
other stakeholders," said Michael
Doss, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Customers,
suppliers, investors, employees and the communities where Graphic
Packaging conducts business have helped shape the Company's
sustainability vision. We are pleased to disclose the significant
progress we have made and our resolve for continued improvement on
topics that are most impactful and important to these
stakeholders."
Graphic Packaging is working diligently toward meeting its
Vision 2025 sustainability goals, and accomplished early
achievement of two goals in 2019:
- 100 percent of global folding carton/cup manufacturing
facilities are now engaged in a waste diversion program
- 100 percent of global folding carton/cup manufacturing
facilities and paperboard mills comply with Graphic Packaging's
forest and fiber certification requirements
Other notable highlights of the 2019 report including ongoing
initiatives are as follows:
Environmental
Two products that the Company has
introduced, KeelClipTM and PaperSeal®, have
made dramatic strides for customers with recyclability and
sustainability advantages. The 2019 report covers recent product
innovations that answer consumers' expectations for sustainable
products and packaging. The Company's transformational $600 million investment in the new world-class
coated recycled board (CRB) machine will have a positive
environmental effect by reducing greenhouse gases (GHG), water
usage and purchased energy. The report describes the Company's
ongoing investments in its infrastructure and its commitment to
operating responsibly. Finally, recognizing the importance of
assessing the risk that climate change poses to the business and
operations, the Company recently underwent a Climate Change
Enterprise Risk Assessment by KPMG and completed an inaugural GHG
Inventory Mapping and Assurance by an independent third party.
Additionally, the 2019 ESG report is also informed by the Task
Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.
Social
Employees are the single greatest asset at the
Company, and a diverse and inclusive environment is critical to
achieving its goals and ensuring employee satisfaction. The 2019
report includes diversity metrics at different levels of the
business and highlights how the Board of Directors is closely
involved in efforts to accelerate progress. The Company also
believes in advocating for positive change in the world,
encouraging employees' participation in community outreach and
several philanthropies globally.
Governance
The Board amended in 2019 the Charter of
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to formally
assign principal oversight of sustainability reporting and
practices to the Committee. The Committee now considers current and
emerging social and environmental trends and other public policy
issues that may affect the business operations or its
stakeholders.
ESG Hub and Reporting Frameworks
To enhance
communication of Graphic Packaging's ESG programs and milestones,
the Investor section of the Company's website
http://www.graphicpkg.com now includes an ESG page. In addition to
the SASB framework, the 2019 report is aligned with GRI Core
standards. A copy of the ESG report, key highlights from the year
as well as progress on goals, GRI/SASB indices, among other helpful
information can be accessed here. Graphic Packaging strives to
achieve best-in-class transparency and the Company will provide
updates of progress on goals laid out in Vision 2025, as well as
other news and detail on innovation and sustainability advancements
at the Company in its annual ESG reports and through updates on the
ESG hub.
Forward Looking Statements
Any statements of the
Company's expectations, including but not limited to statements
about the new CRB machine and any environmental improvements
related thereto, in this press release constitute "forward-looking
statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Such statements are based on currently available
information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's
present expectations. Undue reliance should not be placed on such
forward-looking statements, as such statements speak only as of the
date on which they are made and the Company undertakes no
obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.
Additional information regarding these and other risks is contained
in the Company's periodic filings with the SEC.
About Graphic Packaging Holding Company
Graphic
Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), headquartered in
Atlanta, Georgia, is committed to
providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. The
Company is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions
for a wide variety of products to food, beverage, foodservice, and
other consumer products companies. The Company operates on a global
basis, is one of the largest producers of folding cartons and
paper-based foodservice products in the
United States, and holds leading market positions in coated
recycled paperboard, coated unbleached kraft paperboard and solid
bleached sulfate paperboard. The Company's customers include many
of the world's most widely recognized companies and brands.
Additional information about Graphic Packaging, its business and
its products is available on the Company's web site at
www.graphicpkg.com.
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SOURCE Graphic Packaging Holding Company