MBiz

46 WINTER 2021 T he braintrust at Winpak Ltd. knows that a focus on sustainability is not only the right thing to do for the environment, it's also good for the bottom line. The Winnipeg-based manufacturer of packaging materials and machinery has made sustainability a major part of its busi- ness strategy. Less than two years into its five-year plan, the company is already reap- ing the benefits. "In spite of the pandemic, we're doing quite well," says Caroline Schroen, manager of corporate communications. The company's goals include incorporat- ing renewable energy sources where ap- propriate, eliminating waste in its products and processes, and developing innovative packaging that's compostable, recyclable, or contains recycled material. "Organizations are taking a really collab- orative approach to have a better recycling system," Schroen says. "We're collaborating with like-minded manufacturers and brand owners. We ex- change ideas and look at solutions to how we make products. We also listen to con- sumers to see what they'd like to see from packaging, and government agencies about how we can create the right recycling in- frastructure that can take these packages, recycle them and identify end markets." Winpak also uses a process called life- cycle analysis to make better-informed deci- sions based on the environmental impacts of its packaging, from resource extraction through the manufacturing process to end- of-life disposal. Thus far, Winpak has achieved a number of notable milestones, including using 40% of its electricity from renewable sources. As well, approximately 80% of its rigid packag- ing is now recyclable or recycle-ready. "We looked at what we have now and how we can use less material to see how we can provide the same functionality. It's real- ly exciting what we're doing to work with our customers to drive home the idea of sustainability and promot- ing the whole concept of transitioning from a linear to a circular economy," Schroen says. Much of the company's packaging reduces waste by extending the shelf life of foods and beverages. Winpak's products run the gamut from vacuum pouches for perish- able foods, coffee-creamer cups, yogurt containers, pharmaceutical packaging and package-filling machinery for a wide vari- ety of industries. It has more than 2,500 employees at 12 locations throughout North America, including one in Mexico. Four years ago, Winpak took part in an en- ergy-management program run by Manitoba Hydro in an effort to become more efficient. That involved hiring a consultant to do a gap analysis on its operations to determine how much energy was wasted each year. "We've established a process instead of just doing a project," says Masoud Sharafi, proj- ect engineer at Winpak Division. "We have a sustainability program so we're looking to minimize our impact on the environment." Winpak took advantage of the techni- cal expertise of both Manitoba Hydro and Crown corporation Efficiency Manitoba to complete its energy studies. Initiatives include retrofitting a production line with improved technologies, upgrading obsolete drives and motors, and outfitting a new coating extrusion process line with high- efficiency heat-recovery systems. Through it all, Winpak Division has cut its annual energy consumption by 4.5%. The company has also launched a number of new products, such as EcoWrap — a renew- able, paper-based, 100% recyclable product — and a line of recycle-ready, flexible packag- ing in its ReFresh product portfolio. "It's not just Winpak. Every business has that same mindset right now — how to in- corporate some aspect of sustainability in how they produce and operate. It's good business. It's a big topic in the packaging industry," Schroen says. "With plastic packaging, we're trying to be part of the solution for how we can mini- mize plastic waste." ■ Photos courtesy of Winpak Ltd. The Winnipeg-based manufacturer of packaging materials and machinery has made sustainability a major part of its business strategy. PACKAGE BENEFITS Minimum-waste strategy is good for business BY GEOFF KIRBYSON WINPAK LTD.

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