Environmental Performance Surpasses 2016 Goals Across Energy, Gas, Water, and Waste to Landfill

2017 goals infographic for PR

Bensenville, Ill.: creative werks,llc, an industry leader in design, manufacturing, and co-packing, today announced the release of its 2016 inaugural Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report.  The report highlights creative werks’ achievements in social and sustainable business practices, reduction targets for 2017, and its commitment to serve the communities in which it operates.  Despite producing 15 million more consumer units than 2015, creative werks reduced emissions across water, energy, gas – and most notably – waste to landfill, a key focus in 2016.  The 2016 CSR Report entitled, Making Progress, Making Impact includes:

  • Recommitment to Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Leader program: In 2016, creative werks ran 9,088,780 kWh on wind power
  • Water reduction of 10.5% year over year: consuming 200,000 + gallons of water less than 2015
  • Waste-to-landfill, one the of biggest contributors to greenhouse gases (GHG), was reduced by over 15% in 2016 and over 4,000 tons of material was
    2017 goals infographic for PR diverted through recycling practices
  • Community involvement and giving increased with creative werks’ Werk Your Heart Out campaign: the company attended 10 events in 2016 with record attendance

In 2017, creative werks has recommitted to reducing its carbon footprint by setting more ambitious targets to improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption by 100,000 kWh; reduce waste-to-landfill by 20%; and water by another 10%.  “As creative werks' footprint expands, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to enhance our environmental program and strengthen the communities where we operate," remarks Colleen Coyle Sr. Manager of Marketing and CSR.  “We remain committed to the mission of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and will be transparent as we make strides toward a cleaner, more sustainable future for our global supply chain and  our local Chicago community.”

One of creative werks’ challenges remains in developing and creating more sustainable packaging. Starting in 2017, every material will be identified and monitored for recyclability.  Additionally, the design and procurement teams are encouraged to explore alternative, more sustainable materials to use in the design, development, and fulfillment process.

Community outreach and making a positive social impact will continue to be a focus for the company. In 2016, creative werks launched a workforce engagement survey to understand and improve the lives of its workforce. Moreover, philanthropy and charitable giving - specifically focused on education, community health, and helping those affected by poverty - will challenge creative werks to be at the forefront of social change.  Sarah Bajek, Vice President, Human Resources explains, “Reaching outside the walls of cw and giving back in various ways, no matter how small, makes a difference.”

About creative werks, llc:

creative werks’ mission is to be the ultimate packaging partner, to deliver the highest quality products that exceed its clients’ expectations and win the hearts of consumers.  The creative werks team brings over 60 years of entrepreneurial energy to its state-of-the-art manufacturing, co-packing and design facility. It maintains SQF Level III food-grade facilities to provide both labor-intensive and automated fulfillment for Fortune 100 food brands.   In addition, creative werks is an EPA Green Power Leader and runs nearly one million square feet of space on wind energy.