In the Business of Change
Over the past years, we have worked to align ourselves as one company and define ourselves within our industry as leaders in sustainable practices. Measuring ourselves against past performance as well as global initiatives is critical for not only our business, but also for our employees, our customers, our communities, and our planet.
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Water
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Recycled Fiber
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Forest - Chain of Custody
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Safety
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Climate Change
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Purchased Energy
Water
Goal:
Reduce water use.
13,800 gal/ton
9,300 gal/ton
13,800 gal/ton
9,800 gal/ton
9,300 gal/ton
Result:
Since 2014 we have reduced water usage by 28%.
Recycled Fiber
Goal:
Increase recycle fiber usage.
230,000 tons
450,000 tons
230,000 tons
400,000 tons
450, 000 tons
Result:
Since 2014 we have increased use of recycled fiber by 74%.
Forest - Chain of Custody
Goal:
Maintain 100% procured fiber through certified fiber sourcing programs.
0%
100%
100%
Result:
100% wood fiber procurement from chain of custody since 2014.
Safety
Goal:
The vision for HCC is zero injuries. Progress toward that goal is measured by OSHA Total Incidence rate.
1.80
0.70
1.80
0.86
0.70
Result:
56% improvement in recordable incidence rate since 2015.
Climate Change
Goal:
Achieve a reduction in green house gases.
0.4 Tons
CO2e/Paper Ton
0.32 Tons
CO2e/Paper Ton
0.4 Tons
CO2e/Paper Ton
0.34 Tons
CO2e/Paper Ton
0.32 Tons
CO2e/Paper Ton
Result:
Since 2014 we have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 17%.
Purchased Energy
Goal:
Reduce purchased energy consumption within HCC.
7.37 MMBTU/Ton
6.6 MMBTU/Ton
9.8 MMBTU/Ton
7.3 MMBTU/Ton
6.6 MMBTU/Ton
Result:
Since 2014 we have reduced dependency on purchased power by 28%.
Sustainability has always been at the core of who we are as an organization and as an industry of renewable resources.
- Greg Hall, President & COOThe Life Cycle of A Box
The United States plants 3.2 million seedlings each day, meaning that three seedlings are planted to every tree harvested. By planting these young trees, the paper industry has a perpetual supply of raw materials, unlike mining, oil, and gas who have limited natural resources.
Young trees are more efficient at converting CO2 into oxygen and have a positive environmental impact. HCC Mill Division is both SFI and FSC certified. This means that our suppliers adhere to the highest standard for forestry stewardship and we use 100% wood fiber procurement from chain of custody.
Our mills receive about 60 truckloads per day of sawdust and waste wood from sawmills and landfills to be used as sustainable fuel for our process.
Focused on transportation efficiency, we optimize shipping schedules to reduce miles and fuel consumption by our trucks hence reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Our manufacturing processes are continually monitored for opportunities to reduce waste. We also utilize water-based inks that contain no solvents or heavy metals, more-efficient natural gas for boilers, maintain low (VOC) Volatile Organic Compounds, and are converting to 50% natural organic resin glue.
Our corrugated facilities utilize right-sizing boxes, where we use the latest software and board combination to provide box strength with the least amount of fiber. We are also Amazon APASS certified.
Between our professional truck drivers and our facility locations, we can distribute to most of the US market in less than one day.
From Mill to Market we exercise every opportunity to increase efficiencies and not only provide our customers with speed to market but also top line product.
We understand that providing quality sustainable packaging solutions are important to our customers because they are important to consumers.
Corrugated products are the most recycled packaging material. 93% of corrugated containers are recovered/ recycled (3 years average). Hood Container is an active recycler of Old Corrugated Containers (OCC). Our mills recycle, on average, about 360,000 tons per year of post-retail and post-consumer waste.
Our mills receive up to 40 truckloads a day of baled post-consumer Old Corrugated Containers from grocery stores and recycling facilities. Since 2014 HCC has increased use of recycled fiber by 74%.
Where Environmental Stewardship Takes Root
The Hood Container Corporation Mill Division is committed to adhering to the letter, and the spirit, of all environmental regulations. In the history of the company, there have been zero Notice of Violations. The division is SFI and FSC certified. This means that our suppliers adhere to the highest standard for forestry stewardship, and best management practices for timber production and harvesting. Both mills are recertified annually for this important designation.
The Power of Green
Our paper mills generate the majority of their energy with green fuels. This means using bark and sawdust for boiler fuel and using lignin from the pulping process to generate steam and electricity. The whole tree is used in the pulp and papermaking process, no waste.
Our Corrugated facilities utilize Right-sizing boxes, where we use the latest software and board combination to provide box strength with the least amount of fiber. Our Converting plants have transitioned fuel for their boilers from oil to more-efficient natural gas. Many plants have reduced their power needs by converting to low-wattage LED lights. We also focus on transportation efficiency using optimized shipping schedules to reduce miles and fuel consumption by our trucks hence reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Many of our corrugated facilities also focus on making Green Choices including:
- Utilizing water-based inks that contain no solvents or heavy metals
- Employing renewable natural resources
- Maintaining low (VOC) Volatile Organic Compounds
- Identifying and implementing increased manufacturing efficiencies
- Converting to 50% natural organic resin glue
- Classifying capital expenditures that are aimed at achieving improved energy and water usage
- Capturing and returning scrap to paper mills for recycling
- Leveraging refurbished pallets when applicable