Packaging
R ES U LTS
life-cycle assessments. Material usage can be reduced, for example, by applying
process control at our suppliers' premises and wastage can be minimised by avoiding
potential problems. Working with our suppliers, we have been able to reduce
the thickness of steel used in crown cork closures, achieving a material saving of 13%
in three years. The packaging waste generated at our production facilities is collected
separately and recycled as much as possible. By these efforts, we have succeeded in
reducing the volume of waste at our Schiltigheim plant in France by a factor of seven
since 1993. Similar programmes were initiated at our plants in Mons-en-Baroeul and
Marseilles (France) in 2000.
We are also helping to find solutions to the problem of post-consumer waste.
We encourage recycling through optimum packaging design and appropriate choice
of materials. Clear disposal instructions are printed on our packaging to reduce litter.
Wherever possible, we take direct action and support the activities of national and local
organisations. For example, we have placed waste containers at a number of beaches in
the Netherlands, at holiday resorts in France and at large stores in New Caledonia.
Although we have no internal information on how our packaging materials are disposed
of in the market, the industry-wide figures presented on the next page show the pack
aging material mix and the recycling percentages.
Packaging materials
Cans, bottles, kegs Can lids, crown corks Adhesive/labels Tray Foil Pallets
Inputs
Electricity
Water
Water
Steam
Beer/soft drinks
Filler
Depalletise
Washer
Pasteuriser
Packaging machines
Palletise
Pallets
Waste streams
Foil Waste water/labels Packaging waste Waste water Packaging waste
HEINEKEN REPORT 2000-2001 SAFETY, HEALTH ENVIRONMENT
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