Owens-Illinois has become the first food and beverage packaging company to achieve a gold rating in material health on the Cradle to Cradle Product Scorecard.
The Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Program is a sustainability certification for products globally.
The certification provides tangible validation of the company's ongoing commitment to sustainability.
Jim Nordmeyer, VP of global sustainability at O-I, says it provides an important baseline that will help O-I improve its environmental and social performance.
Nearly 90 per cent of O-I's glass operations were certified across product categories and for certain container colours in the beer, non-alcoholic beverage (NAB), spirit, wine and food markets.
The certification is based on five categories: material health, material reutilisation, water stewardship, renewable energy use, and social fairness.
"Achieving a gold rating in material health strongly reinforces the benefits of glass," Nordmeyer said. "Glass is safe for repeated food contact and endlessly recyclable. It's virtually impermeable to oxygen so it protects the freshness and taste of consumers' favorite food and beverage brands."
Jay Bolus, president of Certification Services at MBDC*, advisors in material health, product design and the Cradle to Cradle Design Framework said: "The company's continued pursuit of Cradle to Cradle certification signifies its brand quality and value for its consumers and the environment."
*MBDC is the premier Accredited Assessment Organisation for the evaluation of products against the Cradle to Cradle Certified(TM) Program. Founded in 1995 by architect William McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart, MBDC is the original creators of the Cradle to Cradle® Design Framework and the Cradle to Cradle Certified(TM) Products Program. For more information, visit mbdc.com.
