Company Glass Metal Innovation Sustainability Careers Investors Media Our Strategy To implement Group sustainability policies across our business and work together to achieve our long-term targets. Sustainability deals with global and regional issues concerning the environment, the economy and social responsibility, our sustainability pillars. The implementation of our Group sustainability strategy allows us to continue to operate and enjoy success while taking a responsible stance towards the environment. The Group's focus and commitment is to build a sustainable future based on our three pillars and to be the leading supplier of inherently sustainable packaging. Sustainability Report 2013 | Sustainability Brochure 2013 | Environmental Policy Permanent Materials Ardagh Group's steel, aluminium and glass packaging are recycled by melting processes and can be re-used for packaging or other applications, while preserving their original material qualtities. These infinite recycling possibilities, and the ability to constantly deliver new applications in a permanent material loop without depleting the earth's resources, means that these materials are classified as 'Permanent Materials'. Environmental All manufacturing processes have an impact on the environment. Ardagh identifies, controls, measures and reduces this impact. The Group achieves this by reducing energy consumption and emissions, maximising the recycling rate and use of recycled product, optimising the use of secondary packaging materials, managing waste appropriately by avoiding use of landfills and limiting water usage. Environmental management systems across all regions in which Ardagh operates help to manage the environmental impact and so enable us to achieve ambitious long-term targets. Social Ardagh's Corporate Social Responsibility policy is in the process of being implemented and aims to provide a guideline on social and ethical best practices, as well as support decision-making in complex situations. This CSR policy applies to all employees, encouraging everyone to support the company's goals and builds on the Group's Code of Conduct and redefines corporate standards. Part of the implementation of this policy is the introduction of the Community Involvement Project Guideline, which provides a systematic approach for finding the most appropriate community projects for Ardagh to be involved with. This fosters the Group's long-term target of having at least one community project per site by 2017, adding value to our facilities and their respective communities. Economic The economic stability of Ardagh Group has an impact on its employees, local communities, the environment and other stakeholders. Ardagh continually invests in systems and processes to improve the efficiency of all its operations, thereby reducing costs as well as environmental impact. We focus on customer and supplier partnership programs to strengthen relationships within the supply chain. This enhances competitiveness and contributes to financial sustainability. Ardagh Group undertakes a number of initiatives across all aspects of its global operations, including; UK Recycling Investment, Welcome to the ‘Circular Economy’, Sedex Membership, Glass Recycling Education, Frozen Cullet Project, Zero Landfill Project, Heat Exchange Pilot, Cradle to Cradle, Glass Batch Preheating, Waste Heat Capture, Sustainable Production, Sustainable Sourcing, Sustainable Consumption, Conflict-Free Mineral Sourcing.