Packaging and the Environment

Sustainable development has been defined in many ways, but the most frequently quoted definition is from Our Common Future, also known as the Brundtland Report:

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts:

• the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and
• the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs."

It is our strong belief that when plastics are used in a responsible manner they are part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. Plastics provide unparalleled benefits as a packaging material. This is because plastics are lightweight, resource efficient and offer excellent barrier properties. Due to these properties, packaging items in plastics significantly reduce waste and save energy, while also being recyclable.

As a packaging manufacturer, Layfield has a dual role to play on the journey to sustainability. Layfield is focused on:

• Minimizing the environmental impacts from our manufacturing processes and identifying opportunities to promote sustainability through more efficient use of energy and raw materials.
   
• Providing its customers with packaging that is designed to meet performance requirements while minimizing the environmental impact. 

Layfield has established its Commitment to Sustainability which focuses on establishing our operations and products for tomorrow's world.

Our Commitment to the Manufacturing Process 

Compliance is now considered to be the minimum acceptable effort with respect to pollution. Layfield's strategy is evolving into one of minimization. This strategy is a multi-faceted approach involving every part of our business.  

• Minimize energy consumption
• Minimize air emissions, particularly VOCs & CO2
• Minimize waste
• Minimize water consumption  

Our Commitment to Product Packaging

With the process goals in place, it is important to close the cycle by producing a product where materials are minimized and recovered. Our commitment to packaging sustainability focuses on four key objectives: 

• Utilize materials that are safe for all end-of-life scenarios
• Maximize package efficiency
• Maximize use of renewable and recycled materials
• Design for recycling or composting