AUSTRALIA – Packaging and recycling giant Visy has announced plans to install solar panels at multiple sites across Australia to reduce its energy footprint and environmental impact.
This initiative supports Visy’s broader sustainability strategy and commitment to green energy investments.
In Victoria, Visy has partnered with Energy Aware to install 2,400KW of solar panels across six sites.
This initiative is expected to significantly reduce energy consumption, aligning with the company’s goal of minimizing its environmental impact and promoting sustainability in packaging production.
Meanwhile, in Queensland, Visy is collaborating with 1K5° Commercial to install a 2,100KW solar system at its Yatala beverage can site.
This project represents Visy’s largest solar installation to date and is set to be completed by next month.
The Yatala site is projected to cut its energy use by 23%, making it a critical part of Visy’s broader push towards renewable energy adoption.
Visy Energy General Manager Ryan Santowski emphasized the company’s dedication to environmental stewardship, “While many of our products have up to 100% recycled content – made from household and business recycling – we’re always looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact and energy footprint further.
“Installing solar panels on our sites is one of the many ways we continue to invest in green power and improve the sustainability of the food and beverage packaging we make.”
Investment in energy-efficient glass production
In addition to its solar projects, Visy recently unveiled an A$150 million (US$100m) sustainable glass furnace at its facility in Penrith, Sydney.
The New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Visy Chair Anthony Pratt opened the furnace on 18 July. It is touted as Australia’s most energy-efficient glass furnace.
The furnace uses oxygen-only fuel, cutting energy consumption by more than half compared to traditional systems.
Pratt highlighted its significant energy savings, “That’s the equivalent of saving enough energy to heat over 32,000 Sydney homes yearly.”
The Penrith facility, the only glass bottle and jar manufacturing plant in New South Wales, produces over 800 million glass containers annually.
It supplies leading food and beverage brands, including Vegemite, Cottee’s Jam, Toohey’s New, and Bundaberg Ginger Beer.
Visy’s ongoing investments in renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies underscore its commitment to reducing its environmental impact and promoting sustainable packaging solutions for the Australian market.
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