Quality and responsibility underpin all of Hartwall’s operations. They are our natural way of working.
All of Hartwall’s operations are steered by our pledge of top quality. Our quality consciousness encompasses not only our products, but also the ingredients, packaging materials, production and packaging processes, distribution and warehousing and quality assurance systems.
Hartwall’s personnel play a key role in our focus on quality. A firm commitment to quality is made at all levels of operations.
Production on the environment’s terms
Hartwall’s both production plants – Hartwall Lahti and Tornio – have been granted environmental certificates in line with SFS ISO 14001 in recognition of their responsible management of environmental issues. ISO 14001 is a standard that sets an internationally acceptable level for environmental compliance.
Taking care of the environment was one of the key considerations in the design of Hartwall Lahti. From day one, environmental targets were set for the project in line with the company’s environmental policy. Particular attention was paid to water and energy consumption in the choice of plant equipment and processes. Natural gas was chosen as the main source of energy. The environmental system is part of the production plant’s operations system in both Lahti and Tornio.
Efficient reuse of packaging materials
Finns are highly conscientious in recycling beverage packages. The return rate of refillable bottles is 98%, high even in international terms. Ninety per cent of deposit beverage cans are returned. The same level has been set as the target for new recyclable plastic bottles.
All the beverage packages used by Hartwall are recyclable. Refillable bottles are used as is – in other words, they are collected, washed and refilled. On average, a glass bottle is refilled 33 times and a plastic bottle 18 times.
Returned aluminium cans are melted and the aluminium is used to make new cans. Manufacture of cans from used cans is efficient, as it requires only 5% of the energy used in initial manufacture. Aluminium can always be reused.
Recyclable plastic bottles with a deposit are collected in the same way as all other beverage packages. However, returned recyclable plastic bottles are not reused as is. Rather, their plastic is recycled to make new pre-forms and other industrial packaging materials.
No deposit is paid on imported beers and ciders in glass bottles and Hartwall’s long neck glass bottles. However, when deposited at an Alko return station, 10 cents is paid per bottle and the glass is recycled. No deposit is paid for foreign cans, but people are encouraged to return them for recycling nonetheless. All beverage packages are environmentally friendly when returned for recycling.
Returned bottle caps are also recycled. They are used to manufacture items such as plastic pails, other plastic goods and fleece clothing.
For more information on beverage packages and their recycling, see www.palpa.fi.
Industry joins forces to support the responsible enjoyment of its products
In co-operation with other members of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry, Hartwall takes proactive steps to promote a responsible drinking culture.
Hartwall is committed to providing guidelines for responsible marketing communications for alcoholic beverages on its own initiative. Internal guidelines have been issued to clarify the policy for advertising alcoholic beverages at the practical level. The main principle of the guidelines is “in moderation for those 18 and over”. The industry does not use potentially ambiguous terms such as children, youth and adults, but rather makes a clear distinction between those who are 18 and over and those who are not. In order to more clearly define where that boundary is drawn, no models under the age of 25 will be featured in advertisements.
The industry is also committed to joint guidelines on the responsible advertising and marketing of soft drinks. These guidelines define principles for responsible business communications concerning non-alcoholic beverages, with a particular focus on children. Soft drinks are not advertised during programmes or using media targeted at under-15s. Soft drinks are not marketed on school premises, and sales are not furthered through, for example, price promotions. No vending machines are installed in primary schools and all vending machines in Finnish secondary schools are now brand-free. Over half their contents are sugar-free soft drinks or mineral waters.
The “Drunk, You’re a Fool” campaign sparked a great deal of debate in autumn 2007. This campaign questioned alcohol use for the sole purpose of getting drunk and was the pilot for a new breed of alcohol education. It proved itself to be necessary: a survey indicated that many people noticed the advertisements. 72% of respondents held the campaign to be necessary, and 69% were of the opinion that it got people thinking. The advertisements were not considered too condescending, childish or preachy. The campaign website has attracted close to 500,000 visitors. The Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry will use the campaign to participate in the European Commission’s Alcohol & Health Forum as a sign of the Finnish brewing industry’s commitment to reducing the problems caused by alcohol.
Hartwall is among the first companies in Finland to provide Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) labelling on its packaging. By adopting this new voluntary labelling, Hartwall seeks to inform consumers about the energy and nutritional content of the products and help them make balanced dietary choices. GDA labels are provided on all of Hartwall’s non-alcoholic products.