Packaging Corp of America.
PKG.US | Manufacture of corrugated paper and paperboard and of containers of paper and paperboard
Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is a major North American manufacturer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products. The company's primary business involves converting paper into corrugated packaging solutions for a wide range of industries. PCA operates mills that produce containerboa...Show More
Better Health for All
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Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) was fined $2.5 million in 2022 for Clean Air Act violations at its Louisiana mill.
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These violations were linked to a 2017 explosion
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and impacted public health, representing significant negative health externalities. The company's core products, containerboard and corrugated packaging, have no significant direct positive or negative health impact, nor do they generate revenue from harmful health outcomes. These products also do not have direct safety implications for users, carry health risks requiring disclosure, or have addiction potential. As a packaging manufacturer, PCA does not offer health-related products or services, engage in preventative health, or hold healthcare-related patents. PCA has committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 35% by 2030
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, with sustainable practices aimed at indirectly supporting public health outcomes.
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Fair Money & Economic Opportunity
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Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is a manufacturer of containerboard and paper products, not a financial institution.
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The company has no direct involvement in offering financial services such as loans, microloans, or other financial products aimed at promoting equitable financial services or empowering small businesses.
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Consequently, PCA does not have customer financial data, APRs, fee structures, or loan books to evaluate against the 'Fair Money & Economic Opportunity' value. While PCA engages in community support, including a $1.6 million donation to the University of Maine
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and partnerships for tree planting,
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these initiatives do not constitute financial inclusion or economic opportunity as defined by the value's KPIs. The company announced a $70 per ton price increase for containerboard products, effective March 1, 2026,
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but this relates to its manufacturing business, not consumer financial products. PCA has faced penalties for competition and environmental violations totaling over $61 million since 2000,
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but no evidence indicates violations concerning financial fairness or economic opportunity.
Fair Pay & Worker Respect
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Approximately 65% of hourly employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements as of December 31, 2017.
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More recent collective bargaining agreements, including those at PCA converter plants, have incorporated language providing paid leave and protection from discipline for domestic violence survivors.
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Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing
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Over 90% of PCA's raw material comes from organizations certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Fiber Sourcing standard, as of 2022.
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The company also holds certifications from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for its sourcing and chain of custody standards.
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Honest & Fair Business
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Packaging Corporation of America received a 'D' rating from Ethos ESG, scoring 24.5 out of 100 in overall impact, placing it 89th out of 94 industry peers
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. In 2022, the company incurred $2.5 million in penalties for environmental violations, including air pollution infractions
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, and additional fines ranging from $5,000 to $135,000 for workplace safety violations
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. Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP announced an investigation in April 2024 into the company's directors regarding potential breaches of fiduciary duties
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. Over the past three years, five customer complaints were received through the Better Business Bureau concerning product quality and customer service
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. The company maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting, with no material weaknesses identified as of December 31, 2022
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. A Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, covering areas like conflicts of interest and fair dealing, is accessible on its website
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.
Kind to Animals
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Packaging Corporation of America's operations do not involve animal testing or the use of animal-derived ingredients.
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The company's sustainability initiatives include certifications such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), which emphasize responsible sourcing, environmental conservation, and are stated to protect wildlife habitats and promote biodiversity.
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In 2022, approximately 94% of all corrugated products were recovered, supporting ecosystem health and indirectly preserving wildlife habitats.
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However, there is no explicit evidence of specific measurable biodiversity impacts from conservation initiatives or the percentage of revenue allocated to such efforts.
No War, No Weapons
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Packaging Corp of America (PCA) has negligible involvement in military activities, with a single purchase order from 2005 for corrugated cartons valued at approximately $1,100 from a federal agency.
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There is no evidence of active participation in peace-building initiatives or advocacy for conflict resolution.
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The company's operations are centered on providing solutions for commercial and industrial applications, indicating no exposure to weapons or defense assets requiring divestment.
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Planet-Friendly Business
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Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) has achieved 63% carbon-neutral energy usage in its mills through biogenic fuels
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, with its Valdosta mill self-generating 100% of its electricity using wood waste and black liquor
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. The company is certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) for responsible forest management and fiber sourcing
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. PCA targets a 35% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from a 2021 baseline and aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
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. PCA plans to operationalize its first carbon capture facility by the end of 2028
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. In 2022, PCA invested $42.3 million in sustainable packaging R&D
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, and recyclable packaging comprised 68% of its portfolio in 2023
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. In 2022, 94% of all corrugated products were recovered and recycled
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.
Respect for Cultures & Communities
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No specific, concrete data points were found in the provided articles that directly address the quantitative KPIs for 'Respect for Cultures & Communities'. The articles mention general community engagement through initiatives like ProjectUP™ for urban tree planting in partnership with environmental non-profits
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, and employee volunteerism for STEM events and Habitat for Humanity
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. An incident involving a Clean Air Act settlement at a mill was also noted
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, but this relates to environmental and worker safety, not cultural or heritage site protection. None of these provide the specific metrics required by the rubric's KPIs, such as formal partnerships with indigenous groups, cultural impact assessments, or community representation in governance.
Safe & Smart Tech
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Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) uses data interrogation tools to develop sophisticated risk analytics, enhancing its ability to identify and address potential issues
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. This demonstrates strong preventative measures for data governance. No specific, quantifiable evidence was found for any other KPI, leading to their omission.
Zero Waste & Sustainable Products
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In 2022, approximately 94% of Packaging Corporation of America's corrugated products were recovered and directed into the recycling stream, demonstrating a high level of recyclability for its core packaging materials.
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The company also achieved a 41% reduction in packaging waste in 2022 compared to a 2018 baseline, reflecting implemented waste reduction strategies.
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