2026 Sustainability Report

Learn how Placon is shaping an eco-friendly future with a few highlights from our 2026 Sustainability Report.

Green initiatives aren’t a new catchphrase; Placon has proudly led the industry in eco-friendly manufacturing since 1991 when we first introduced post-consumer recycled (PCR) content into our retail packaging. But our commitment to greener practices doesn’t end there. We’re excited to showcase our 2026 Sustainability Report, highlighting our sustainability journey through time and, more importantly, our future growth and green initiatives. Here are some of the key highlights.

Solar Power

Placon is committed to using green energy sources, like solar. We have invested in a local solar array to help power our Madison-based facilities, reducing our carbon footprint and investing in eco-friendly energy options. Our Minnesota manufacturing plant also utilizes an on-site solar array, helping to power production with energy from the sun. Using renewable energy sources helps preserve the environment and protect it for the future.

Zero Net Waste Initiative

Placon is committing to achieving Zero Net Waste across all of our production facilities, ensuring that up to 90% of waste is diverted from landfills and ongoing support for regeneration and environmental resources is in place. Placon has achieved Zero Net Waste with our Plymouth, MN, and Elkhart, IN, facilities, and is focused on reaching this level with our Madison, WI, and West Springfield, MA, locations as well.

Continued Improvements in Sustainable Packaging

Placon released EcoStar® 50S sustainable PET material in 2024, which is the company’s in-house extruded sheet made from post-consumer recycled content that meets or exceeds the PCR requirements for packaging in all 50 U.S. states. Since then, Placon has produced all PET stock food and retail products with EcoStar® 50S, further expanding our environmentally responsible packaging options for consumers and meeting individual state PCR requirements.

Extended Producer Responsibility

One of the highlights of the 2026 Sustainability Report is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This environmental policy is a way for manufacturers to take additional responsibility for the lifecycle of their products; the goals are to reduce landfill waste, increase recycling rates, and encourage eco-friendly and focused design. In 2025, Placon joined the Circular Action Alliance (CAA), which manages EPR programs in various states. Placon continues this initiative into 2026 and beyond.

Sustainable Design

One of the most innovative projects in our 2026 Sustainability Report is the 2025 AmeriStar award for the SimplKomb. This new package design helps to dramatically reduce waste in both packaging and harvesting process; instead of slicing honeycomb to size, wasting valuable product and increasing labor time, the SimplKomb is inserted into the beehive where honey is then made in the unique thermoformed honeycomb shape. This increases product yield, reduces waste and time spent, and creates an eco-friendly packaging option for consumers.

Looking to the Future

During our yearly Sustainability Overview, we’re proud to showcase the steps and efforts we’ve made over the previous year, and look forward with our customers to the next milestones in years to come. We’re continuing to make strides in eco-friendly manufacturing processes, and are evolving our products and materials to meet consumer demand for green options. In 2027, we’re committing to Zero Net Waste, usage of green energies, and continuing to expand our PET range of products.

You can download the full 2026 Sustainability Report here, or visit our other Sustainability page for more information.

Resources:

https://www.plasticsindustry.org/zero-net-waste/

https://www.placon.com/about/sustainability/

https://circularactionalliance.org/

https://www.placon.com/resources/news/placon-wins-2025-ameristar-award-for-comb-honey-packaging/

ABOUT PLACON
Since 1966, Placon has been a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative and sustainable plastic packaging for medical, food, and consumer goods markets. Placon has manufacturing operations in Madison, WI; West Springfield, MA; Elkhart, IN; and Plymouth, MN, and is currently ranked in the Top 20 in Plastics News 2025 Thermoformers Rankings. Placon delivers packaging breakthroughs that inspire better engagement between people and products.