Wiltshire-based GWP Packaging take their sustainability seriously. As part of GWP Group and member of Macfarlane Group PLC, they operate with a keen understanding of the packaging industry’s environmental impact – Macfarlane Group PLC have developed full scale ESG goals that stretch across their supply chain, internal operations, and environmental impact. This includes electric trucks, a 22% reduction in absolute carbon emissions (relative to their 2019 baseline), and 87% of electricity being renewably sourced.
As a key piece in that effort, GWP Group invested £235,000 into a new renewable energy initiative within their Environment, Social and Governance strategy. Investing in solar power for their Cricklade manufacturing site for GWP Packaging, their new solar PV installation from CleanEarth Energy is now on track to generate 40% of their total electricity requirements.
After previous investments in solar power, they were looking for a supplier with a proven track record whose expertise they could trust to deliver. The CleanEarth team were the perfect fit, and we stepped in to help them make the most of their renewable energy. The resulting system has a 380kW capacity, generating over 330,000 kWh annually. This generation will save an annual 70 tonnes of CO2, accumulating 1,750 tonnes of carbon savings across the system’s 25-year lifespan.
This installation plays a role in GWP Packaging’s wider sustainability ambitions as part of GWP Group. They’ve been putting in the work to decarbonise across their operations; with fully electric delivery vans, all LED lighting, and improved efficiency of waste recycling both in the office and in their production facility. GWP Packaging’s corrugated packaging is FSC-certified, and they’ve already got their next steps underway – improving wastewater handling.
Energy consumption plays a massive role in any carbon footprint. Switching to paper or cardboard packaging can come with increased energy usage during production. Innovative solutions like this new solar PV system work to circumvent the knock-on impacts of other climate focused efforts. GWP Group, by embracing solar PV for GWP Packaging, have made immediate strides to even out the overall sustainability of their operations.
At CleanEarth, we see the business case for renewables and the wider effect our solar and wind projects have on the push to decarbonisation. Working with clients like GWP Packaging takes that impact even further.
