ConAgra Releases Inaugural CSR Report

April 3, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

In its first-ever corporate social responsibility report, ConAgra exhibits its efforts towards sustainability in the supply chain, climate change and “lean manufacturing” processes.

ConAgra, whose brands include Healthy Choice, Chef Boyardee and Hunt’s, says it followed Global Reporting Initiative standards in its report (PDF), which was released in late March.

In the environment, ConAgra’s efforts include packaging, product and supply chain improvements. The Hunt’s ketchup bottle has a more environmentally friendly packaging design than in the past, and the company’s frozen food trays are the first in North America to use post-consumer recycled material, which should help eliminate eight million pounds of landfill waste a year.

ConAgra conducted a baseline GHG emissions inventory in fiscal year 2007. The company’s carbon footprint in fiscal year 2008 (June 2007 – July 2008) was 2 million metric tons, as measured according to the WRI GHG Protocol and Environmental Protection Agency’s Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) model.

About 57 percent of ConAgra’s emissions were from Scope 1, or direct, sources, including on-site fuel use, fugitive process emissions and the transportation fleet. The remaining 43 percent of emissions were from purchased electricity (Scope 2).

ConAgra says that over the next 18 months it will begin taking into account Scope 3 emissions associated with the supply chain, product retail distribution and consumer use.

When it comes to product distribution, ConAgra points to two innovations:

The “CargoQuilt,” which is used by the Lamb Weston frozen potato segment, reduces carbon dioxide use. The commercial blankets keep products cool during interplant truck transfers. According to the report, the use of 18 CargoQuilts slashed carbon emissions by more than 2,500 metric tons a year.
By assessing product packaging size, shape and orientation, the “Perfect Pallet” initiative allows ConAgra to use fewer pallets and stretch wrap. The company says it also decreases the use of forklifts and improves loading and transportation efficiency. The initiative has resulted in reduced solid waste and fewer GHG emissions. By removing a half-inch from the height of Orville Redenbacher’s and Act II popcorn, the company gained 25 percent in pallet efficiency, a move that reduced Scope 3 carbon dioxide emissions by more than two million pounds.

Additionally, the company recently has adopted a 50 percent post-industrial recycled Polylactic Acid (PLA) shrink film.

click to enlarge

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Make sustainability part of your strategy.

Get equipped at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Survey Results: Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader