Carbon Footprint

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Carbon Footprint

A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases emitted during the life cycle of a product or service. The carbon footprint of any organisation can accurately be determined by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The areas of highest energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions will be identified during the LCA so that the production processes can be optimised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Remaining CO2 emissions which cannot be eliminated by optimisation of energy efficiency can be compensated for by carbon offsetting. This involves investment in carbon friendly schemes such as reforestation, biofuels or energy efficient projects, which counterbalance or reduce CO2 emissions.

A Life Cycle Assessment for NatureFlex was carried out during 2007 which enabled us to quantify the environmental impact of the product from ‘Cradle to Gate.’ Significant improvements in energy efficiency and waste reduction through enhanced process technology have been made and these improvements will continue in the future. However, any manufacturing process will inevitably have an environmental impact and involvement in carbon reduction schemes allows Innovia Films to offset the overall effect of NatureFlex production, to ensure that coated NatureFlex films are carbon zero at the point of despatch.

Working with a leading carbon services company, co2balance, who provide carbon reduction schemes both locally and globally, Innovia Films decided to plant 3,000 trees at Sand Martin Wood, Faugh, Cumbria.  The planting of this new forest with a mix of British broad leafed trees within 30 km of their Wigton site was selected because NatureFlex is manufactured in Cumbria.  The forest is directly owned and managed by co2balance which will ensure that it is properly maintained into the future.

In addition, Innovia Films will contribute to a scheme that distributes ‘solar ovens’ to poor communities in Africa.  This helps to reduce deforestation, reduces CO2 emissions from open stove burning, reduces energy costs and provides health and safety benefits to the users.