Containers printers: Driving sustainability through strong leadership and workforce empowerment

Containers Printers is a leading Singapore-based packaging solutions provider, supplying leading brands in the nutrition, food and medical industries in more than 30 countries. Focusing on energy efficiency and carbon emissions, the company was able to achieve cost savings while creating positive impacts for both the environment and the business. Containers Printers has learned the following lessons from its journey: 

• Support programmes by the government and industry partners can help businesses in their efforts to build sustainability capabilities 
• Upskilling teams is crucial to the successful adoption of new sustainable practices 
• Staying up-to-date with latest sustainability trends and developments allows businesses to seize opportunities to create long-term value 

Faced with the rising costs of energy and increasing demands from stakeholders to lower its emissions, Containers Printers began to take its first steps into sustainability in 2019. 

One of the company's first ventures was engaging a solar leasing vendor to install solar panels on its factory rooftops, which allowed Containers Printers to purchase solar energy at a lower price than the market rate. 

While owning solar panels can be expensive for SMEs that want to switch to renewable energy, solar leasing arrangements may offer a good solution. "There is so much sunlight in Singapore, and we have a lot of space on our factory rooftops," explained Amy Chung, CEO of Containers Printers. "For a 25-year contract where the solar leasing company installs and maintains the panels, it is a win-win situation for both parties."

For Containers Printers, this initiative not only resulted in a 20% reduction in energy costs, but also enhanced the company's sustainability credentials, as it was among the first SMEs in Singapore to enter into a long-term solar leasing agreement.

Containers Printers' success in implementing solar leasing spurred Chung and her team to take further steps to improve sustainability. In particular, Chung recognised how such efforts went beyond environmental responsibility and provided the company with a new competitive advantage. "Consumers are increasingly seeking lower carbon alternatives," said Chung, "and sustainability is now a pivotal factor in business success."

To kickstart its decarbonisation journey, Containers Printers joined LowCarbonSG, a programme that helps businesses to monitor and reduce their carbon emissions. Through LowCarbonSG, Containers Printers was able to analyse its emissions and identify areas for improvement. 

Staying informed about the latest technologies and sustainable solutions, the company gradually replaced its air-conditioners, lighting, motor-driven systems and compressed air systems with more energy-efficient alternatives over time. These efforts were supported by NEA's Energy Efficient Grant, which provided up to 70% support to adopt pre-approved energy efficient equipment. These efforts have allowed the company to reduce its emissions, as well as reduce its overall resource consumption and operational costs.

In 2021, Containers Printers also became a member of the UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS), a local chapter of the United Nations initiative to drive corporate sustainability action around the world. Through GCNS, employees received training on data collection for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting, which they were able to successfully adopt into their own daily operations. 

By leveraging support available from partners such as GCNS, the LowCarbonSG programme, and utilising government support, Containers Printers was able to transform its operations to become more energy efficient, while also reaping the benefits of cost savings and talent development.