East Riding Sacks Sustainability Report

At East Riding Sacks, sustainability is a core principle that shapes our business operations and long-term strategy. As the UK’s largest paper sack manufacturer, we focus on three core areas: Environment, Responsibility and Sustainability.

All paper purchased for East Riding Sacks is sourced from responsibly managed and sustainable forests. By choosing paper from sustainable sources, we help reduce deforestation and encourage responsible forestry practices globally. Sustainable sourcing also supports our circular economy goals as paper is a renewable, recyclable and biodegradable material. This approach not only meets the environmental expectations of our customers but also strengthens our role in protecting natural resources for future generations.

We are dedicated to delivering the highest quality products and services to our customers, underpinned by full regulatory compliance. This commitment is supported by certifications from recognised standards, including BRC, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

This sustainability report outlines our progress, actions and objectives as we continue to fulfil our environmental responsibilities.

Environment.

Carbon Footprint.

East Riding Sacks has committed to set near-term and long-term company-wide emission reductions in line with science-based net-zero.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has verified and approved East Riding Sacks Limited science-based emissions reduction targets.

Near-Term Targets: East Riding Sacks commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 54.6% by 2033 from a 2023 base year. East Riding Sacks Limited also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 32.5% within the same timeframe.

East Riding Sacks commits to maintaining no deforestation across its primary deforestation -linked commodities.

Long-Term Targets: East Riding Sacks commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 90% by 2050 from a 2023 base year.

East Riding Sacks also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% within the same timeframe.

By sharing results with our stakeholders, we aim to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement in environmental performance.

Our People & Training.

At East Riding Sacks, we recognise that staying informed of environmental legislation and compliance is essential to responsible business practice.

That’s why we have dedicated personnel focused on monitoring regulatory developments and ensuring our operations align with current and emerging requirements.

This proactive approach helps us maintain high standards, minimise risk and demonstrate our commitment to environmental responsibility across the business.

We are equally committed to the continuous development of our team.

Through a combination of internal and external training programmes, we ensure our staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to work safely, effectively and in line with both customer expectations and industry best practices.

From environmental awareness to health and safety, our training supports a culture of learning and professional growth at all levels.

ESG and Community Engagement.

As part of our ongoing commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, East Riding Sacks is strengthening its support for local communities and charities.

We actively involve our staff in fundraising initiatives for national causes such as Macmillan Cancer Support, as well as local organisations like OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity. In addition, we have donated food and toiletries to The People’s Pantry, helping to support those in need within our local community.

Responsibility.
 
Supply Chain.

Our commitment to sustainability extends throughout our entire supply chain. We recognise that the environmental and social impact of our operations is deeply connected to the practices of our suppliers and partners. As such, we are actively working to build and maintain a responsible and transparent supply chain that aligns with our core values and ethical standards.

East Riding Sacks prioritise sourcing materials and services from suppliers who demonstrate strong environmental management, respect for human rights, and fair labour practices.

Policies.

As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices, East Riding Sacks has developed a suite of policies aligned with our core values: Environment, Responsibility and Sustainability.

These policies guide decision-making at every level of the organisation, ensuring that our operations not only meet regulatory standards but also contribute positively to the environment in which we operate.

By embedding these values into our policies, we reinforce our dedication to reducing environmental impact, acting with integrity and promoting long-term, sustainable growth.

Copies of all our policies are available to view on our website at www.eastridingsacks.com/more/about-us/policies/ 

Sustainable Conversions.

As part of our ongoing commitment to reduce our environmental impact, we have implemented a series of sustainable conversions across our operations.

Our recent milestone has been the installation of 1,300 solar panels on site, which is projected to reduce our annual purchased energy consumption by approximately 20%.

In addition, we have completed a full transition to energy-efficient LED lighting throughout our facilities, further lowering our electricity usage.

To support the shift towards greener transport, we have also installed electric vehicle charging points for both employees and visitors. These initiatives reflect our broader strategy to embed sustainability into the core of our infrastructure and day-to-day practices.

Responsible Use and Protection of the Natural Environment.

We recognise our responsibility to minimise our impact on the natural environment and are committed to protecting the ecosystems in which we operate.

Our approach centres on the responsible use of resources, reducing waste and preventing pollution at every stage of our operations. We actively monitor our environmental performance, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislations and standards.

Sustainability.
 
Strategy.

We aim to deliver continuous improvement by setting measurable environmental targets, continuing our employee training and working collaboratively with partners who share our values. Our strategic framework aligns with global sustainability objectives and follows the GHG Protocol for climate change, while also responding to the evolving expectations of our customers and regulators.

This ensures that our sustainability ambitions are both credible and impactful, helping us create long-term value for stakeholders and the environment alike.

Throughout the product lifecycle, we strive to close the loop. We encourage end users to recycle used sacks and offer sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging. By continually improving the environmental performance of our products and promoting responsible disposal, we contribute to a circular economy model that benefits both people and the planet.

Circular Economy.

At East Riding Sacks, sustainability is embedded throughout our entire product lifecycle from sourcing raw materials to end-of-life disposal.

Our approach reflects our deep commitment to environmental responsibility, ethical practices and supporting a circular economy.

Sourcing.
We only use paper sourced from responsibly managed, sustainable forests.

We are committed to preventing illegal logging and the trade of illicit forest products, ensuring the protection of high conservation value areas, complying with all forest product import/export laws and we do not support the conversion of forests into plantations or other non-forest uses.

Manufacturing.
East Riding Sacks has evolved from manufacturing basic sewn open-mouth sacks for animal feeds and root crops to becoming the leading supplier of bespoke pasted sacks, including roll bottom, open-mouth block bottom and valve sacks.

As volumes have grown and sack sizes decreased, the company has adapted to rising demand for shorter production runs and quicker turnaround times – driving growth across key sectors such as milk powder, foodstuffs, chemicals and aggregates packaging.

Supply and Logistics.
Using our own delivery fleet, we provide efficient and dependable distribution across the UK.

All East Riding Sacks fleet vehicles are well maintained and equipped with euro 6 engines that have reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency. This gives us greater control over logistics and helps us ensure timely, environmentally responsible deliveries.

Consumer Use and End of Life.
Our paper sacks are used daily in both commercial and domestic settings.

We are committed to reducing plastic and packaging waste by providing recyclable alternatives and supporting circular economy principles that extend product life and minimise environmental impact.