U.S. plastic produce packaging manufacturer Emerald Packaging plans to transition its two California manufacturing facilities to solar energy in 2023.
The largest facility will go live with solar in the first half of the year and the second facility will follow in mid-2023, the company says.
The solar energy systems are expected to reduce Emerald’s emissions by more than the equivalent of 47 million pounds of coal burned and cut its energy spend by $12 million over a period of 25 years.
"Our company is committed to playing its part in sustainability and mobilizing a shift towards a circular economy for plastics," said Kevin Kelly, chief executive officer, Emerald Packaging. "It's clear that our planet is losing the battle to stop greenhouse gas emissions. We need to step up in any way we can. So the installation of solar and other initiatives such as reducing plastic use and increasing recyclability of our packaging makes complete sense."
To date, Emerald has won California Green Business certification and accomplished years of advocacy for effective plastics recycling, as part of its sustainability efforts.
The company also adheres to Ellen MacArthur commitments to reduce plastic use and make its packages compostable, reusable or recyclable in accordance with NPEGC principles, with specific targets to be met by 2025. It has also agreed to help drive the adoption of post-consumer recycled resin in food packaging.
