Sustainability: No Such Thing as 'Too Much'

We believe there’s no such thing as being ‘too sustainable.’ Sustainability is not an afterthought for EP Group. It drives every decision we make.

As a leading packaging manufacturer and distributor, we recognize that we have a responsibility to drive real change in the industry. Our commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through ambitious targets, investment in closed-loop systems, and a relentless focus on reducing our environmental footprint.

We are proud to be EcoVadis Platinum rated, placing us in the top 1% of companies worldwide for sustainability. This independent score shows that we follow through on the commitments we make. Our 'Sustainability First Mindset' ensures that packaging plays a central role in our ESG strategy, shaping how we design products, engage partners, and operate our business.

 

Packaging as a Pillar of Our Sustainability Targets

As part of our action-driven mindset, and as a packaging supplier, packaging is understandably at the core of our approach:

  • Material Innovation & Circularity – We continuously develop lighter, stronger, and more recyclable packaging solutions, reducing virgin material use without compromising performance.

  • Closed-Loop Systems – We are implementing customer waste collection programmes, bringing used packaging back from our customers, into our waste sorting facilities for further recycling.

  • Carbon Reduction Initiatives – Our target is to reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 7% year-on-year, with a long-term goal of reducing carbon intensity by 50% by 2030.

  • Waste Reduction & Resource Efficiency – Committing to zero waste from operations to landfill by 2030, with a 10% annual reduction in non-recyclable waste.

We’ve made significant strides toward these commitments through data-backed progress and industry-first innovations.

Sustainability should never be a box-ticking exercise - we constantly ask 'how much further can we go?'.

 

Waste & Recycling Progress:

  • 60% increase in recycled waste following the installation of advanced waste extraction systems.

  • 2,384 tonnes of recycled waste processed in 2023 alone.

  • 335 tonnes reduction in non-recycled waste - a 13% decrease year-on-year.

 

Energy & Carbon Progress:

  • 41% of our energy now comes from renewable sources, with plans to transition further.

  • Carbon Neutral Business Status Achieved - We offset 100% of our Scope 1 & 2 emissions.

  • Fleet Optimization - We are actively working to reduce emissions from our logistics network.

 

Sustainable Packaging Innovations:

  • RePapaPac® – A truly reusable paper bag, third-party tested to carry 40kg, eliminating the need for plastic alternatives.

  • Flexi-Kraft Bag – A 20% stronger, 60% lighter paper laminate mailing bag, reducing material use significantly.

  • Boxless Pallets – A logistics innovation that removes the need for single-use boxes and increases pallet fill by 40%, improving transport efficiency.

  • Click & Collect Bag – A solution designed to replace 10 million single-use plastic mailers per year.

Our packaging innovations have not only delivered on reducing environmental impact, but have also been recognized within the industry, with Flexi-Kraft BOOM Bag winning the Sustainable Packaging of the Year in 2023.

 

Clear Understanding of the Legislative Landscape

We push the boundaries of what’s possible and aim to lead the way in an evolving regulatory environment:

  • EcoVadis & Auditing: Our sustainability performance is assessed through rigorous third-party audits.

  • FSC & PEFC Certification: We ensure 100% of our paper is responsibly sourced from certified sustainable forests.

  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): We are actively engaged in EPR discussions with DEFRA and PackUK, and supporting our customers by being a source of information and guidance on EPR.

  • Retailer Compliance: We align with the stringent sustainability requirements set by UK and EU retailers.

 

Engagement & Empowerment Across the Business

Environmental responsibility is embedded at every level of our business:

  • Employee Engagement: Our sustainability policies are readily available and EP team members are encouraged to read and understand our goals. Major sustainability milestones are communicated in our monthly team update.

  • Sustainable Procurement: Part of our sourcing team members' role is to prioritize sustainable materials and audit suppliers to ensure ethical and responsible sourcing.

  • R&D with 'Sustainability First Mindset': Our 'EP Design House' R&D team have won multiple awards year-on-year for their innovative and often sustainable solutions - including the Flexi-Kraft Bag.

  • Supplier Engagement: 89% of our key suppliers have undergone on-site sustainability audits.

  • Marketing & Sales Enablement: Sustainability is woven into our customer messaging.

 

How Sustainability Drives Business Partnerships

Our retail and foodservice customers face mounting pressure to prove their commitment to sustainability, so they demand transparency and measurable progress:

  • EcoVadis Platinum: Achieving Platinum EcoVadis status places us in the top 1% of evaluated companies globally. We treat this as the benchmark we set for ourselves. This gives us a competitive advantage with businesses that hold sustainability to the highest standard.

  • Driving Change with UK Retailers: Our solutions help major UK retailers reduce their carbon footprint and meet their own packaging sustainability goals.

  • Sustainability as a Sales Driver: A growing number of customers choose EP Group for our sustainable innovations.

 

A Business Built on Sustainable Progress

Our actions and our solutions are shaping the future of a circular economy, reducing carbon emissions, and driving efficiency in material use.

  • We are a Carbon Neutral Business.

  • We are in the top 1% of companies globally for sustainability (EcoVadis Platinum).

  • We are leading innovation in reusable and recyclable packaging solutions.

  • We are reducing waste, emissions, and material usage year after year.

These final points truly demonstrate our continued efforts - after all, there's no such thing as being 'too sustainable'.