Heinz & the Environment

Lighter Cans for a Greener Planet

To reduce our environmental impact in the United Kingdom, where
our canned foods are a daily staple for millions of families, Heinz
is taking a “can-do” approach.

We have introduced a new lighter, easy-open can for products such as our Heinz soups. By using thinner tinplate with up to 60% recycled steel for the can ends, the environment benefits. How? This single packaging innovation reduces the weight of cans and reduces consumption of both steel and tinplate for the can end manufactured in the U.K. by nearly 1,400 tons annually.

The lighter cans also reduce the overall weight of products being transported, which in turn leads to improved fuel efficiency.

Heinz is now making design changes to reduce the weight and thickness of can bodies. Once testing for strength and performance is complete, we intend to adopt the more environmentally friendly cans in other markets where we sell canned products, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Through packaging and process innovations like those in the U.K., Heinz can make a world of difference for the global environment, one product at a time.

Getting Greener in Escalon

One Heinz factory that processes our fresh-packed, ripe red tomatoes has recently made a significant green improvement. In Escalon, California, Heinz has reduced the environmental impact of that facility and lowered its natural gas consumption in the process.

The improvements focused on reducing emissions of nitrogen oxide to meet the new regulations in the San Joaquin Valley.

The Escalon team came up with an innovative and cost-effective solution. First, two idle boilers were transferred from the Heinz facility in Stockton to replace two aging boilers in Escalon, while keeping two other active boilers in Escalon intact. Heinz then retrofitted four boilers at Escalon with selective catalytic reduction technology that treats boiler exhaust gas with ammonia to convert nitrogen oxide into nitrogen and water vapor.

The two-step combination was a success. Escalon sharply reduced nitrogen oxide emissions to levels that average well below the tough new emissions limits of 9 parts per million, and it also lowered carbon monoxide emissions by 2.5 tons a year. Plus, there was an added environmental benefit: Escalon reduced its natural gas consumption by 7,000 MMBTUs, reflecting the success of the boiler replacements and efficiency upgrades.

The Escalon factory processes fresh-packed tomatoes that Heinz markets under these brands: 6 in 1, Allegro, Bella Rosa, Bell'Orto, Bonta, Christina's, Christoforo, El Verano Sabrosos, Heinz, and Mama Linda.

Dundalk Facility Reduces Energy and Revs Up Pride

Heinz’s Dundalk facility in Ireland produces  frozen ready meals, primarily for the U.K. markets. Recognizing that  refrigeration was the greatest drain on the plant’s energy, Dundalk’s  employees committed to reducing their energy consumption through a clear and  methodical system that would embed energy-saving initiatives into the very  culture of the operation.

The 12-month plan included examining the refrigeration system,  compressed air system, steam boiler system and turning off equipment when not  in use. Multi-focused teams assessed every aspect of the operations and took a  whole-plant approach as opposed to piecemeal remediation. The results were  dramatic. Substantial savings were achieved across the entire refrigeration  system. Gas usage was reduced, as much as 57% on weekends. Leaks in the  compressed air system were fixed within 24 hours. And additional improvements  are underway that continue to meet Dundalk’s ambitious energy-saving goals.  

The facility also now enjoys cost savings in chemical reductions,  reduced production downtime and increased labor savings. The employees have  taken individual ownership of the plant’s energy program resulting in  increased teamwork and personal pride. In recognition of Dundalk’s efforts to  integrate energy management into its operations, the plant recently achieved  certification under the Energy Agreements Programme (EAP) to IS393:2005.