A few years back, I was fortunate enough to vacation in Iceland, and I was taken aback by the country’s natural beauty. During the trip, I took part in a glacier hike that left an indelible mark on me. While the act of hiking through a glacier was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the tour guide’s words were more impactful: 50 years ago, the glacier extended nearly ¾ of a mile further – past the parking lot where our travel group parked the van. In another 50 years, the glacier will be gone completely.

For our third straight issue, we have featured a column from Calvin Frost, a noted sustainability champion, entitled War (turn to page 40 for the third installment). As society has been leveled by a global pandemic and much discord, we can’t forget that we’re facing another very real challenge: climate change. Melting glaciers, forest fires, and a global pandemic are just a few of the ravages hitting society like a right hook to the jaw. Much like it was – and is – our responsibility to help curb the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, the same holds true for our environment. We won’t be getting another one.

What we’re seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg. The devastating effects of climate change can and will get worse. Fortunately, our industry is taking the threat quite seriously. From label material suppliers, like Avery Dennison and UPM Raflatac, to well-known global brands, such as Coca-Cola and Starbucks, there are a host of “green” goals being implemented across the board. In many cases, companies are aiming to significantly reduce their carbon footprint in the years to come.

While some effort is better than no effort, we need everyone on board in this very real fight. In putting together this issue, we spoke to several companies of all sizes, especially as part of our annual Companies to Watch feature, which begins on page 64. Converters and suppliers are making the effort, and taking pride in doing so. It’s encouraging to see many suppliers to our industry developing more sustainable products, such as flexo ink (page 52) and anilox roll cleaners (page 44). The goal is to reduce waste, and the overall carbon footprint in the process.

Converters are making the effort, too. Gamse Labels & Packaging uses eco-friendly materials, such as soy and high-content vegetable inks, while K-1 Packaging Group participates in the Green-e renewable energy program. ModTek has 660 solar panels on its roof, and The Packaging Lab’s Dan Niblo emphasizes the need to foster an environment that improves the world, not detract from it. (Learn all about our 2020 Companies to Watch starting on page 64.)There is not one feature in this issue that will ignore sustainability in some aspect.

We have a long way to go on this journey, but we have all realized the stakes. This is a war that we can win, but it doesn’t start next month, next week or tomorrow. It starts now – and it starts with all of us.


Greg Hrinya, Editor
[email protected]