Sustainability Benefits of Amcor’s Cartonboard Packaging
We believe in responsible packaging. We recognise the important role that Amcor Cartonboard plays in the packaging of many everyday Australian household items. This is why we work relentlessly to reduce our impact on the environment through water, waste and energy reduction, as well as proactively supporting the surrounding flora and fauna in Petrie.
Amcor is also a founding member of the Australian Recycled Cartonboard (ARC) campaign. The ARC logo features on many Australian products packaged in Amcor cartonboard produced at Petrie, which signifies it is produced from post-consumer waste materials. This ensures that the ARC endorsed carton packed products are sustainable -for today and tomorrow.
Environmental Management
Amcor Cartonboard is committed to reducing the overall impact of cartonboard production on the environment. This is supported by Amcor’s Corporate Sustainability Targets – Water, Energy and Waste to Landfill reduction.
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Water
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While the paper making process uses vast amounts of water in the form of steam, Amcor reuses, regenerates and recycles water within the Mill for use throughout this process. Water remains on site for up to six weeks before finally passing through an extensive water treatment system prior to entering the North Pine River.
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At Petrie, coal and gas fired boilers heat water from the on-site water treatment plant to produce up to 80 tonnes of steam per hour. Steam is primarily needed to dry the cartonboard in the production process but before the steam is piped to the Mill it passes through a turbine generator which produces 50% of the electricity requirements of the Mill. This method of electrical production is energy efficient as well as environmentally sound.
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Waste Reduction
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Over 120,000 tonnes of waste paper and cardboard is recycled and converted into new cartonboard products at the Petrie Mill annually. This reduces the amount of waste entering landfill and reduces the demand on forest harvesting for fibre production.
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Surrounding Flora & Fauna
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Amcor is committed to reducing the impact of the Petrie Mill on the surrounding environment. Amcor’s site at Petrie covers 200 hectares, which provides a natural buffer zone between the mill operations and the local community.
The wetland and bushland surrounding the Petrie Mill supports a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna, including koalas, wallabies and many native plants. Local ornithological groups and ecologists have identified over 180 different bird species feeding and nesting on site. Amcor remains committed to supporting this important ecosystem through responsible cartonboard production practices.
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Environmental Management System (EMS)
Petrie Mill operates in such a way to minimise its effect on the receiving environment. Petrie uses ISO14001, a widely recognised international standard, as a guide for providing the Mill with a systematic and documented methodology to address environmental issues.
The treatment system consists of a series of aeration and settling ponds and a constructed wetland where final polishing of the water occurs. The calm and shallow artificial wetlands trap any remaining sediment and help purify water through sunlight and absorption of nutrients by aquatic plants.
Australian Recycled Cartonboard (ARC) Campaign
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Australian consumers are more concerned about our planet’s natural resources than ever before. Amcor recognises this and the importance of supporting our environment through responsible packaging - this is why we continue to support the Australian Recycled Cartonboard (ARC) campaign.
The ARC logo (right) gives Australian consumers confidence that their choice of carton packaging is:
To find out more about the Australian Recycled Cartonboard Campaign, click here.
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To find out more about the sustainable credentials of Amcor’s cartonboard, contact us.
