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Earth Day is a perfect moment to reflect on how organizations can drive meaningful environmental change. We spoke with Sara Lashari, Atlantic Packaging Group’s ESG Program Manager, about the company’s sustainability initiatives, achievements, and commitment to environmental stewardship.
Sara shared valuable insights on AP’s efforts to align with global sustainability goals, including its EcoVadis application, FSC certification, and ambitious targets for the years ahead.
Atlantic Packaging Products is not only reflecting on its significant initiatives toward sustainability but also doubling down on its commitment to exceeding its targets. Collective action, transparency, and innovation transform the company’s ESG efforts into a role model.
Discover more in our 23/24 ESG Report
When you are personally passionate about Atlantic Packaging Group’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives
Q: Could you start by sharing what inspires you to work in the ESG space?
Sara Lashari (Sara): Absolutely! I’m very fortunate to work in a field that aligns with my personal passion. I’ve always cared deeply about the environment, whether it’s through participating in local environmental initiatives, supporting biodiversity, or taking part in various community planting events that address deforestation. For me, working at Atlantic Packaging Group is a way to merge this personal commitment with professional action. Together, we strive to ensure companies take greater responsibility for reducing their environmental impact.
Q: Can you share an overview of Atlantic Packaging’s key environmental initiatives and how they’ve evolved with the launch of the first ESG report last year?
Sara: Atlantic Packaging has a long history of environmental stewardship, dating back decades. However, our first ESG report in 2024 marked a turning point by consolidating our efforts, setting clear goals, and creating a roadmap for the future.
Our targets for 2030 include reducing emissions intensity, decreasing water consumption intensity, and reducing waste intensity at Atlantic mills. Given the manufacturing intensity of our industry, these are ambitious but essential goals. Our efforts have focused on pathway-driven initiatives to meet these targets, such as adopting operational efficiencies and better resource management.
One of our current initiatives is the installation of solar panels on two of Atlantic Packaging Products’ facilities. This project is ongoing, and we anticipate that by the end of 2025, these two solar panel array projects will be complete. By feeding this renewable energy back into the grid, we are reducing our dependency on non-renewable sources and supporting broader grid decarbonization. This is just one of the initiatives underway to ensure a more sustainable future.
I would like to add that Atlantic’s culture plays a significant role in ESG’s overall success. Collaboration runs deep here, reflected in our efforts to create a workplace that engages employees in sustainability.
Atlantic Packaging achieved a 66 EcoVadis Rating
Q: Atlantic earned an improved rating of 66/100 from EcoVadis. How did the organization achieve this progress?
Sara: EcoVadis, a global leader in ESG ratings, plays an important role in benchmarking our sustainability practices. Our latest EcoVadis score marks significant progress, earning us the Bronze medal. Much of this achievement comes down to enhanced collaboration and transparency.
Internally, we’ve strengthened monitoring and reporting mechanisms. For example, we have enhanced our data management and oversight by tracking our progress against the targets. These results are reviewed monthly by our steering committee and quarterly by our Board of directors, enabling more responsive decision-making regarding emissions, waste reduction, and water consumption. This process fosters accountability and allows us to make timely adjustments when needed.
Externally, transparency has been pivotal through public reporting and stakeholder engagement. By publishing ESG reports, we’ve been able to share our goals, achievements, and pathways with stakeholders, which has encouraged collaboration across the value chain.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) role
Q: FSC® certification is an important component of Atlantic’s ESG strategy. Can you explain the significance of this certification?
Sara: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) Chain of Custody certification, for example, for Atlantic Packaging Products in Ontario it ensures that the materials we use, particularly paper and packaging, come from responsibly managed forests. For us, this certification is not just about meeting industry standards; it’s about ensuring that our products align with our values and our customers’ sustainability goals.
This certification complements our broader ESG strategy by reinforcing our dedication to responsible use of and biodiversity protection. It’s a win for the environment, our customers, and the communities impacted by forestry practices.
Meeting our Customers’ Sustainability Expectations
Q: How does Atlantic Packaging support its customers in achieving their own sustainability goals?
Sara: We believe in partnering with our customers to drive meaningful change across the supply chain. At Atlantic, we provide tools, insights, and eco-friendly packaging solutions that help reduce environmental impact while maintaining high performance.
For example, we offer innovative materials made with recycled content and focus on reducing packaging weight without compromising durability. Our commitment to sustainability extends further through the resources and services we provide. One such tool is our environmental impact calculator, which helps businesses quantify potential waste and carbon emissions reductions when using our packaging solutions. This empowers our customers to make data-driven decisions that align with their sustainability objectives.
We also offer training sessions to educate teams on Corrugated Packaging and effectively implement sustainable practices. These sessions cover topics such as waste reduction, material optimization, and responsible sourcing.
Another key initiative we are proud of is our active collaboration with some customers to advance the principles of the circular economy. We work closely with them to collect scrap paper, which is then reintroduced into our paper manufacturing process. This closed-loop approach strengthens our commitment to fostering a circular economy and provides tangible benefits to our customers by reducing their disposal costs and minimizing the waste they generate. By integrating this process into our operations, we ensure that valuable resources are continuously reused, reinforcing sustainability and creating a shared value for our business and partners.
To support our long-time partner on specific challenges, we offer a more tailored approach. Our experts provide guidance to optimize our customers’ supply chain for their environmental and operational benefits. Together, these offerings support a collaborative pathway to achieving long-term sustainability.
Atlantic Packaging Group’s Sustainability Initiatives
Q: Of all the initiatives you’ve participated in, which one are you most proud of? And what’s on the horizon for Atlantic Packaging Group regarding sustainability?
Sara: That’s a tough question—I’m proud of so much of what Atlantic stands for. If I had to pick one, I’d highlight our commitment to achieving ambitious 2030 environmental goals. It’s incredibly rewarding to work for a company that pushes itself to higher standards year after year.
Looking ahead, we’re focusing on new technologies that will further reduce our carbon footprint and improve manufacturing efficiencies. We’re also planning programs to scale our sustainable packaging solutions through all three regions (Ontario, Quebec, and the United States), which is incredibly exciting.
To align with our targets, which are based on our Mills, our environmental initiatives in Ontario have focused on maximizing impact where it’s most critical. One such initiative is the use of biogas, a renewable energy source derived from organic waste, which is utilized to fuel the boilers at our largest Mills. This effort involved significant capital investments to produce and integrate biogas into our manufacturing processes. Additionally, we repurpose mill-generated sludge by burning it to create heat energy, which is then reused in production. Together, these initiatives have delivered a remarkable 25% reduction in natural gas consumption in 2024, saving approximately 15.8 million m³ of natural gas. These achievements demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and highlight how integrating environmental stewardship into operations drives both substantial cost savings and operational efficiencies. This exemplifies how environmental and business goals can align to achieve impactful results.
Q: What challenges do you see for Atlantic’s ESG efforts, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Sara: One of the biggest challenges is that manufacturing processes are inherently resource-intensive. We see challenges as an opportunity. One of the unique opportunities in our industry is finding innovative ways to improve sustainability within inherently resource-intensive manufacturing processes.
Balancing operational demands with environmental goals requires constant innovation. To address this, we’re committed to maintaining robust tracking and reporting frameworks, which help us identify and resolve inefficiencies early.
Additionally, fostering collaboration remains key. By engaging employees, suppliers, and customers in our ESG vision, we create a collective drive toward sustainability that helps us overcome any barriers.
Earth Day Every Day
Q: Sara, as we celebrate Earth Day, what message would you like to share about how individual responsibility can drive meaningful collective action for our planet?
Sara: Earth Day reminds us that sustainability is about collective impact. Whether you’re an individual or a corporation, every step toward environmental stewardship matters. By working together, sharing knowledge, and holding each other accountable, we can create a future where businesses thrive harmoniously with the environment.
The circular economy is a pivotal part of building a sustainable future. Unlike the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose,” a circular economy focuses on reducing waste, reusing materials, and creating systems that prioritize resource efficiency. This approach minimizes environmental impact and drives innovation and economic resilience.
“The true superpower we all have is the ability to make responsible choices every day that protect and restore our planet—together, these choices can shape a better, sustainable future for everyone.”
– Sara Lashari, ESG Program Manager, Atlantic Packaging Group
For more updates on Atlantic Packaging Group’s sustainability initiatives and how the company is shaping the future of packaging, visit Atlantic Packaging’s Sustainability Page. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.
