Packaging sustainability takes a prominent spot in the newly released 2023 impact report from Hain Celestial, the CPG company behind products including Celestial Seasonings tea, Terra chips and Garden Veggie Straws. Notably, in 2023 the company achieved its goal to create a sustainable packaging strategy, which includes several new targets related to packaging and materials.

Hain has two science-based targets: to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 42% by fiscal year 2030 and to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 25% by FY 2030, both from a FY 2022 baseline year. Packaging, transportation and ingredients fall under its scope 3 data. 

It made improvements to its scope 3 data collection process in FY 2023, including for packaging, to better “track emissions reductions and enable R&D and packaging teams to take low-carbon decisions into account for new and existing products,” the report said. “We initiated several packaging changes that will reduce our Scope 3 emissions for packaging materials and end of life, and help meet our sustainable packaging targets.” 

In fiscal year 2021, Hain committed to creating a sustainable packaging strategy by the end of calendar year 2023. It met that commitment in FY 2023 by setting seven goals for sustainable packaging, with the main focal points of reducing virgin packaging materials and packaging waste while increasing packaging recyclability. It strives to reduce the environmental impact of packaging throughout its life cycle.

After launching the new packaging sustainability strategy, the company incorporated the goals into business processes “to enhance decision-making and minimize our carbon footprint,” the report said. “Next year, we're focused on integrating our sustainable packaging strategy across all of our brands.”

Hain, a certified B Corp., also aims to incorporate standardized recyclability labeling during all packaging updates in North America and the U.K. by 2025. Previously, the company wanted recyclability labeling on 100% of its products. But it pivoted to better align with packaging design processes: It noted this change stems from not all products being scheduled to undergo a packaging design change by the target year. As such, Hain reported that it began incorporating How2Recycle into its North American packaging design process in 2022, and it continued that work in 2023.

The report describes challenges with advancing packaging sustainability due to the issue’s complexity, including differences among customers and among countries.

“We face tradeoffs when reducing plastic use, opting for a lower carbon footprint, or enhancing recyclability,” the report said. “We are collaborating with industry experts to guide our packaging decisions and consider the latest advancements in packaging technology.”