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

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how 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 ]

11/24/2009
11/23/2009
11/20/2009

Charts [ see all ]

Government Intervention Required to Drive “Green” Technology

62% of Firms Assign Environmental Team for Green Goals

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Jetset1 on Energy-Savings Claims Don’t Add Up for Microsoft’s Windows 7
"This article is wrong. If your PC is less than a few years old,..."

Iain on McD’s in Germany Trades Red for Green In Logo
"Now if only their food was healthy and nutritious."

Phil on Climate Scientists Alleged to Have Manipulated Data
"After reading all the comments it seems obvious, to me, that the individuals populating..."

Marc Hudson on McD’s in Germany Trades Red for Green In Logo
"where will the stone be mined from- under what labor rights conditions? Will the..."

Clyde on Climate Scientists Alleged to Have Manipulated Data
"This just shows all the Global Warming freaks out there are a bunch of criminals cut from..."

Car Rental Singapore on News Corp. Taps Hara for Energy Efficiency, Environmental Management
"Energy reduction is a good thing. We need to save the..."

Meme Mine on WWF, WRI Make Last-Minute Pitches on Climate Change
"To the voting public, what the scientists say is irrelevant anymore for if you read..."

Environmental Leader