Denmark: Carlsberg focusing on more sustainable packaging

Carlsberg AS, the world’s fourth biggest brewer, is focusing on making its packaging more sustainable this year and beyond, according to Morten Nielsen, its director of corporate social responsibility, quoted by Bloomberg on April, 8.

The company identified that about 45 percent of its CO2 emissions is attributed to packaging, with primary packaging – bottles and cans – having the biggest impact. “We’ve put together a strategy to address this issue and reduce the negative impact,” said Nielsen. As a first step, the brewery has introduced a life-cycle analysis tool to further assess the impact of its packaging.

The brewery has a “clear ambition to market [environmental sustainability] as part of its consumer agenda,” said Nielsen. “As we are a branded company, we simply have to engage with consumers and stakeholders.”

Consumers, he said, are happy to participate. The challenge lies in “whether they should pay a premium, or if they would rather be rewarded,” he said.

10 April, 2013