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HC's Sustainability Commitments

Changing Gears Toward A More Sustainable Future

Sustainability Vision

The HC Companies believes that conducting business sustainably is essential for growers and gardeners to thrive in our collective future. To further our partnership with the horticultural industry, HC is committed to becoming the sustainability leader through eco-efficient manufacturing, innovative product development, and responsible resourcing to create sustainable solutions to help improve our world.

Our vision is a concise and clear commitment to truly living and embracing HC’s mission and values by doing our part to improve our world for everyone. We have two new evolutionary goals that will set our direction for the future as a company. Those future goals include using zero virgin petroleum-based plastic content in all products, which are fully recyclable or degradable, as well as a 50% reduction in our operational carbon and water footprints.

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HC's History of Responsibility

Continuing with our history of sustainable manufacturing

Operating more sustainably has been at the core of HC’s manufacturing for many years – consistently and successfully utilizing recycled content in our planters and plant pots.

We were one of the first horticultural container suppliers to market with a full line of fiber, molded pulp containers – certified by the USDA Biopreferred® program as being manufactured of 100% Biobased Content. They’re also manufactured in a state-of-the-art, closed-loop water recycling facility to help conserve and reuse water.

Additionally, our fiber growing containers use recycled newsprint and fiberboard – much of which is sourced from our own facilities. Always looking for new ways to grow our nearly 100% recycled fiber products, we’re expanding into new markets such as protective packaging, whose popularity has soared in the last few years.

We broke new ground by introducing our biobased BioPax® containers – co-developed with our supplier partner – Certified USDA BioPreferred® and made from sustainably sourced wood pulp. BioPax® promotes less waste while offering an optimized end-of-life without compromising on strength and performance. 

We guarantee a minimum of 10% PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) content on average with our renowned line of horticultural containers.  By incorporating a minimum of 10% PCR content within the 50% post-industrial recycled material we’ve been using for many years, we’re leading the way for sustainability in our industry. This not only aligns with our dedication to environmental stewardship but also simplifies compliance for businesses operating in regions with stringent plastic-focused regulations.

Evolutionary Goals

Our new Sustainability Vision Statement is a concise and clear commitment to truly living and embracing HC’s MISSION and VALUES by doing our part to improve our world for everyone. Directly connected to this new Sustainability Vision Statement comes two new evolutionary goals that will set our direction for the future as a company. Those future goals include:

  • Zero virgin petroleum-based plastic content in all products, which are fully recyclable or degradable.
  • 50% reduction in our operational carbon and water footprints.

Achieving these sustainability goals will be challenging but necessary as our society and the horticultural industry evolve more responsibly. As a leader in the industry, HC hopes to encourage others to learn from our example so that together we can inspire impactful change for the betterment of the planet.

Benefits of using recycled materials in our manufacturing

  • Reduce the solid waste sent to landfills
  • Conserve the resources necessary to create containers from non-recycled materials
  • Save on overall energy usage
  • Decrease the overall carbon footprint of our business

We’re creating a cyclical manufacturing process at HC while keeping SERVICE to our customers and STEWARDSHIP for our planet at the forefront. By increasing our use of recycled or renewable materials and improving the recyclability or degradability of our products, we are actively shifting to a more circular and sustainable economy.

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Setting the Standard for Sustainability

The HC Companies continues to set the industry standard for sustainability by incorporating an average of 50% recycled content with a minimum of 10% PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) content on average into their horticultural containers.

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Our Recycled Content

In 2022, The HC Companies used more than 55% post-industrial recycled materials in the production and manufacturing of its plastic horticulture containers, and 100% post-industrial recycled materials in its molded pulp fiber products.  That equates to the weight of three Eiffel Towers or one and a half times the weight of the Statue of Liberty. Learn more about how to recycle used horticulture containers and close the loop by visiting the Sustainable Recycling Centers page!

Learn About Container Recycling

Sustainable Container Options

Fiber Products

Manufactured from Recycled Paper/Fiberboard

Browse Fiber Products

Biobased Products

A Resin Alternative Without the Sacrifice

Browse Biobased Products

On the Horizon...

Carbon Black Alternatives

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Protective Packaging

HC also offers sustainable protective packaging solutions in a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations. Visit our sister website today for information on all the sustainable fiber packaging products available for your business from edge protectors, roll cradles, and more!

Visit hc-sustainable.com

News & Information

Read our blog posts on sustainable news and product information

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