Packaging Selector
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Business as a Force for Good

We believe business should be a force for good, which extends beyond championing product sustainability. We are rigorous about ethical practices across our supply chains, for our people, and on behalf of our customers, whilst instilling a forward-thinking attitude to continuous improvement. We implement this through our structured approach to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.

A woman in a green dress proudly holds an award certificate while standing next to a man in a black suit at Environmental Packaging Live 2025. The certificate is for Colpac’s net-zero programme, recognising it as a pioneering SME. A branded backdrop with event details and sponsor logos is visible behind them.

Leading Net-Zero Programme

Developing a net-zero programme is an integral part of our commitment to the environment and to responsible business. This supports our customers in meeting their own net-zero targets and demonstrates our dedication to reducing our impact.

Working with Inspired PLC, we established our net-zero programme, set targets for all three scopes and have had targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Our ambitious net-zero programme was awarded ‘highly commended’ at the 2025 FPA Awards and received a silver award at the Environmental Packaging Awards this year, following our 22% carbon emissions reduction.

Although not yet mandated for companies of our size, we hope that our carbon emissions measurement, drive to continuously improve, and reduction achievements will inspire other manufacturers to take decisive action.

Two factory team members standing beside a wall-mounted defibrillator unit, promoting workplace safety and community support.

Supporting Our Colleagues and Community

Our people form the foundation of what we do, and we pride ourselves on an open and supportive culture. Colleague safety is paramount and is encouraged through our health and safety campaigns which promote a safe working environment. We also work with charities who provide lifesaving skills courses to our teams.

We promote and build a positive working environment, through activities and benefits to support peoples’ daily lives, at home and at work. We achieve this through offering flexibility, upskilling opportunities, and celebrating colleagues through our recognition programmes.

Engagement with local organisations gives us the opportunity to support our community. We partner with charities to fundraise and donate food packaging, and work with schools to inspire the next generation. We also avidly support the protection of Folly Wood, a conservation site that is opposite our factory. We are lucky to have such a valued area of nature opposite our site, so we invest in its protection through the Wildlife Trust. Folly Wood is even featured on our Appealable packaging range.

Production of Colpac's multi-food pots at its UK manufacturing facility.

Responsible Manufacturing

It is important to us that we reduce the impact of our manufacturing on nature and climate. Examples of ways we do this include our multi-faceted waste management system, utilising 100% renewable electricity to power our UK factory, and streamlining our processes to ensure our factory runs as efficiently as possible.

We are also working with Inspired PLC to calculate our carbon emissions across our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, improve our data accuracy, and make reductions. Understanding our carbon impact is just one of the ways that we continue to produce responsibly and operate at the cutting edge of policy and legislation.

Responsible manufacturing is also achieved through our supply chain and environmental due diligence. We are rigorous about the suppliers that we work with, ensuring evidenced compliance and sustainability, which we regularly audit and re-evaluate. We source all forest materials in compliance with deforestation regulations or from FSC® certified and PEFC certified sources, further driving transparency and traceability in our supply chain.

Colpac factory team member in blue sweatshirt and PPE, taking wooden packaging die from shelf.

Driving Continuous Improvement

We continuously drive improvement across our organisation. As an SME, we strive to do more with less, so our agility enables us to quickly adapt to support customers and to increase our efficiency.

Our sustainability certifications, including ISO 14001, are evidence of our drive to highly achieve and continuously improve in compliance across health and safety, hygiene, and environmental performance. We are committed to these in support of our customers, colleagues, and planet.

Sustainability is embedded in all elements of our business, and environmental considerations are integrated in all our decision-making. We actively encourage our colleagues to contribute ideas through our interdepartmental green team and employee recognition. This is seen in the changes we are making across product development, manufacturing processes, supporting customers to solve sustainability challenges, and even our carbon emissions data collection methods.

Collection of graphical pages from Colpac's 2025 ESG report. 'Environmental, Social, & Governance Report' title in navy and white, blue cover of Colpac's ESG report in foreground, two additional pages behind, all on light grey background.

Download ESG Report

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