Giving Back at Plastipak: Our Role in Our Communities
September 12, 2024
Each associate at our 35+ facilities around the globe plays a role in helping Plastipak create innovative and environmentally conscious packaging. However, their work goes far beyond just the product.
We start every project with a people-first approach that benefits both our associates and the communities in which they live and work. We’ve also committed to ensuring safe, fair, and equitable conditions for all. Here are just a few ways we’ve been leaning into our corporate social responsibility philosophy at home and around the globe.
Each and every associate at our 60 facilities around the globe plays a role in helping Plastipak create our innovative and environmentally conscious packaging. But their work goes far beyond just the product.
We start every project with a people-first approach that benefits both our associates and the communities in which they live and work. We’ve also committed to ensuring safe, fair, and equitable conditions for all. Here are just a few ways we’ve been leaning into our corporate social responsibility philosophy at home and around the globe.
Cleaning Up the Lone Star State
Our associates from our Garland, Texas, plant recently cleaned up and collected more than 1,000 pounds of trash from surrounding areas. This kind of work carries with it so much importance when you see how it improves the environment and makes the community an even better place to live and work when our associates leave it better than they found it.
Cleaning Up the Lone Star State
Our associates from our Garland, Texas, plant recently cleaned up and collected more than 1,000 pounds of trash from surrounding areas. This kind of work carries with it so much importance when you see how it improves the environment and makes the community an even better place to live and work when our associates leave it better than they found it.
The Best of T.I.M.E.S.
We hosted students from ESTIEM – European Students of Industrial Engineering and Management – at our Bascharage, Luxembourg plant as part of the semi-finals for the Tournament in Management and Engineering Skills (T.I.M.E.S.) competition. They were able to tour the recycling and manufacturing site to see how it has helped us expand our PET recycling capacity globally to approximately 44 million pounds.
Not Our First Rodeo
Our employees in Brazil, along with some of our partners, collected eight tons of waste from a local music and rodeo festival and processed it during the event. More than 70 percent of what was collected was able to be recycled instead of being thrown away and ending up in a landfill.
Not Our First Rodeo
Our employees in Brazil, along with some of our partners, collected eight tons of waste from a local music and rodeo festival and processed it during the event. More than 70 percent of what was collected was able to be recycled instead of being thrown away and ending up in a landfill.
Mind the Gap
Equipping kids with proper digital devices is of the utmost importance, especially in underserved communities. Through the Close The Gap Foundation, Plastipak EBTC Belgium donated 46 laptops that will be repurposed to support educational and community projects for individuals in need.
Working for the Weekend(er)
Our research and development team at our Medina, Ohio plant packed more than 1,000 bags of food for Feeding Medina County’s Weekenders for Children program to help address food insecurity. This program ensures elementary students in and around Medina have access to healthy meals at home on the weekend.
Working for the Weekend(er)
Our research and development team at our Medina, Ohio plant packed more than 1,000 bags of food for Feeding Medina County’s Weekenders for Children program to help address food insecurity. This program ensures elementary students in and around Medina have access to healthy meals at home on the weekend.
Fleece & Thank You
At our Global Business & Technology Center in Plymouth, Michigan, some of our associates worked together to make 110 fleece blankets to keep hospitalized children warm during their hospital stay. This act goes a long way in showing Plastipak’s commitment to the community goes beyond protecting the environment and includes ensuring our fellow humans are cared for as well.
Relay for Life
The same team was also part of the Relay For Life in August where they raised more than $8,500 for cancer research and prevention by participating in a relay, during which the team took turns walking on a path to support the ongoing fight against cancer. Plastipak was a top team and a platinum-level sponsor.
Relay for Life
The same team was also part of the Relay For Life in August where they raised more than $8,500 for cancer research and prevention by participating in a relay, during which the team took turns walking on a path to support the ongoing fight against cancer. Plastipak was a top team and a platinum-level sponsor.
Our Sustainability Champions
Many of the projects we undertake across the company are sought out and organized by our local Sustainability Champions, those who make sure Plastipak remains committed to the environment through our Packaging the Future initiative. It’s important to have someone in place who can lead collaboration and stakeholder engagement across the board and ensure all programs we participate in maximize our impact in our communities.
Community Voices
Of course, the best way to get a sense of the success of the program is by talking to those who participate. We caught up with a few people to learn about their experiences and what it means to them.
“I just want to express my gratitude for all that you do. [My child] had to stay overnight for surgery, and while I had brought some things from home, nothing was more special than seeing their face light up after a tough day with such a beautiful blanket. Your time and love did not go unnoticed. Thank you.” – Anonymous
Since our founding, we’ve been committed to creating dynamic packaging solutions that meet the needs of our customers, while continuing to pursue a more sustainable supply chain and look for ways to give back to our communities. It’s all part of our commitment to taking care of our planet.