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Our Commitment to Sustainability

Environmental responsibility through innovation and responsible manufacturing

Environmental Stewardship in Action

At Dart Container, we recognize that environmental responsibility is not just a corporate obligation but a fundamental aspect of our business operations. For over six decades, we have been committed to sustainable manufacturing practices that minimize environmental impact while delivering the high-quality food service packaging our customers depend on.

Recyclable Materials

Our polystyrene foam and plastic products are 100% recyclable. We actively support and participate in recycling programs across North America, with over 80 drop-off locations accepting our products for recycling.

Energy Efficiency

Our manufacturing facilities utilize advanced energy management systems, reducing energy consumption by 28% since 2015. Solar panels at our Arizona facility generate 2.3 megawatts of clean energy annually.

Water Conservation

Closed-loop water systems across our facilities recycle 95% of process water. Since 2018, we have reduced water consumption by 1.2 million gallons annually through system upgrades and process optimization.

Certifications & Compliance

Our commitment to quality and safety is validated by industry-leading certifications

ISO 9001 Certified
ISO 9001:2015

Quality Management System certification across all manufacturing facilities since 2008

ISO 14001 Certified
ISO 14001:2015

Environmental Management System certification demonstrating commitment to reducing environmental impact

SQF Level 3 Certified
SQF Level 3

Safe Quality Food certification - the highest level of food safety and quality recognition

FDA Compliant
FDA Compliant

All products meet FDA regulations for food contact materials (21 CFR 177.1520)

Understanding Polystyrene Foam Sustainability

While polystyrene foam has faced environmental scrutiny, the facts demonstrate its sustainability advantages:

  • Material Efficiency: Foam cups use 30% less material than paper alternatives (Source: Franklin Associates Life Cycle Assessment, 2020)
  • Energy Production: Manufacturing foam cups requires 50% less energy than fiber-based cups
  • Water Usage: Foam production uses 42% less water compared to paper cup manufacturing
  • Recyclability: 100% recyclable when processed through appropriate facilities - not biodegradable, but fully reusable

Sustainable Manufacturing Practices

Concrete actions delivering measurable environmental benefits

Recycling Programs

Dart operates the largest polystyrene foam recycling network in North America. Our initiatives include:

  • Drop-off Locations: 80+ permanent collection sites across the U.S. and Canada
  • Campus Programs: Partnership with 200+ universities for foam cup and container recycling
  • Municipal Support: Technical assistance and equipment for cities implementing foam recycling
  • Closed-Loop Recycling: Collected foam is processed into new products including picture frames, crown molding, and building insulation

2024 Impact: Diverted 18.5 million pounds of polystyrene from landfills - equivalent to 450 million foam cups recycled into new products.

Manufacturing Efficiency

Continuous investment in technology reduces resource consumption and emissions:

  • LED Lighting: 100% LED conversion across facilities saves 3.2 million kWh annually (2022 baseline)
  • Solar Energy: Arizona facility's 2.3 MW solar array offsets 15% of plant electricity needs
  • Heat Recovery Systems: Captured waste heat warms buildings, reducing natural gas consumption by 22%
  • Process Automation: Advanced controls minimize material waste to less than 0.5% (industry average: 2-3%)

2024 Achievement: Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 8,400 metric tons CO2e compared to 2020 - equivalent to removing 1,800 cars from the road annually.

Waste Reduction

Comprehensive waste management minimizes landfill disposal:

  • Zero Waste Goal: 12 of our 30 facilities have achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status (as of December 2024)
  • Manufacturing Scrap: 100% of production scrap is reground and reintroduced into the manufacturing process
  • Packaging Materials: Corrugated cardboard and stretch film from incoming materials are 100% recycled
  • Waste Audits: Quarterly reviews identify diversion opportunities, increasing recycling rate from 78% (2020) to 94% (2024)

2024 Impact: Diverted 14,200 tons of waste from landfills through recycling and reuse programs.

Transportation Optimization

Logistics efficiency reduces fuel consumption and emissions:

  • Regional Distribution: 30+ manufacturing locations minimize shipping distances to customers
  • Load Optimization: AI-powered route planning maximizes truck capacity, reducing trips by 18% since 2021
  • Fleet Modernization: Partnership with carriers using EPA SmartWay certified trucks (15% more fuel efficient)
  • Backhaul Programs: Coordination with suppliers to utilize return trips, reducing empty miles by 40%

2024 Achievement: Transportation optimization saved 1.8 million gallons of diesel fuel and reduced CO2 emissions by 19,800 metric tons.

Environmental Performance Metrics

Transparent reporting on our sustainability progress (2020-2024)

28%

Reduction in Energy Consumption per Unit Produced

1.2M

Gallons Water Saved Annually Through Conservation

94%

Waste Diverted from Landfills in 2024

2.3 MW

Solar Energy Generation Capacity

Transparency on Limitations

While we are proud of our sustainability progress, we acknowledge areas requiring continued improvement:

  • Recycling Infrastructure Gap: Despite polystyrene foam being recyclable, only 30% of U.S. municipalities offer curbside collection. We are investing $5M annually to expand access.
  • Fossil Fuel Dependency: Polystyrene production relies on petroleum derivatives. We are researching bio-based alternatives but current technology does not yet match performance requirements for food safety and insulation.
  • Single-Use Nature: Most products are designed for single-use applications. We are developing reusable options for institutional settings, though food safety regulations limit some applications.

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Choose packaging solutions that balance performance with environmental responsibility

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