Greif's ESG Marathon: How Responsibility Became a Competitive Edge

DELAWARE, Ohio – December 04, 2025 – In the world of corporate accolades, consistency is the true hallmark of commitment. For Greif, Inc., a global leader in industrial packaging, a seventh consecutive appearance on Newsweek’s 'America’s Most Responsible Companies' list is more than just an annual honor; it’s the result of a long-term strategy that has woven environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the very fabric of its 148-year-old business.

As companies worldwide grapple with stakeholder demands for greater accountability, Greif's persistent presence on this list—every year since its inception—offers a compelling case study in how a legacy industrial firm can lead in the modern era of sustainable business. The recognition, developed by Newsweek and research firm Statista, is no mere popularity contest. It involves a rigorous two-part evaluation, analyzing over 30 public ESG key performance indicators (KPIs) and canvassing the opinions of 18,000 U.S. residents to gauge public perception. For Greif to consistently rank among the top companies is a testament to both its measurable performance and its public reputation.

“Being named to this list for the seventh year in a row is a testament to the dedication of our global teams,” said Ole Rosgaard, President and CEO of Greif, in a recent statement. “We remain committed to operating with integrity, making our operations smarter and more efficient, and creating long-term, positive value for our customers, our communities, and our colleagues.”

A Strategy of Deliberate Consistency

Greif’s approach to sustainability isn’t a recent reaction to market trends. The company has published detailed sustainability reports for 16 consecutive years, providing a transparent record of its journey. This long-term view is critical in an industry often scrutinized for its environmental footprint. Instead of viewing sustainability as a cost center, Greif has integrated it as a core driver of operational excellence and innovation.

The company's 2030 sustainability targets, announced in 2021, provide a clear roadmap. These are not vague aspirations but concrete goals, including a 28% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, making 100% of its products recyclable by weight, and achieving an average of 60% recycled raw material content across its product lines. The progress is tangible. In its latest sustainability report for fiscal year 2024, Greif reported diverting 87% of its waste from landfills, with 60 of its facilities achieving zero-waste-to-landfill status.

This commitment extends beyond environmental metrics. The company is on track to achieve global gender pay parity and aims to evaluate the sustainability performance of suppliers representing 80% of its total spend. This holistic view—spanning from internal operations to the broader value chain—is what transforms ESG from a checklist into a cultural foundation.

“Receiving this recognition reflects the passion and perseverance of our colleagues around the world who bring our sustainability commitments to life every day,” noted Aysu Katun, Greif’s Vice President of Sustainability. This highlights an essential truth: sustained ESG leadership is impossible without deep employee engagement and a shared sense of purpose.

From Factory Floor to Customer Doorstep

For Greif’s customers, this commitment to responsibility translates into tangible supply chain advantages. In an era of increasing climate risk and consumer scrutiny, a resilient and transparent supply chain is a powerful competitive differentiator. Greif is actively positioning itself as a partner in its customers' own sustainability journeys through a portfolio of innovative solutions.

A cornerstone of this effort is its Life Cycle Services (LCS) program. In 2024 alone, this initiative collected 3.6 million used industrial containers. Of those, over 2.6 million were reconditioned or remanufactured for reuse, directly contributing to a circular economy by reducing the demand for virgin materials. The rest were responsibly recycled. This system doesn't just reduce waste; it provides customers with a closed-loop solution that enhances resource efficiency.

The innovation is also evident in its product lines. The EcoBalance® family of products incorporates significant amounts of post-consumer recycled resin (PCR), with Greif increasing its PCR usage by 37% year-over-year in 2024. For customers in the food industry, its GreenGuard containerboard offers a fully recyclable and repulpable alternative to traditional wax-coated packaging, addressing a major recycling challenge.

Perhaps most impressively, Greif’s Paper Packaging division operates as a "net-positive recycler." This means the company collects and processes more recycled fiber than it consumes in its own mills. In 2024, 71% of the fiber used in its products was from recycled sources, solidifying its position not just as a user of recycled content, but as a critical engine for the entire recycling ecosystem.

The Business Case for Being Responsible

While the ethical and environmental imperatives are clear, Greif’s seven-year streak also illuminates the powerful business case for robust ESG performance. In a competitive landscape against giants like Amcor and the newly formed Smurfit WestRock, a verifiable reputation for responsibility is a key asset. It builds trust, mitigates risk, and attracts both talent and capital.

The impact on customer loyalty is striking. Greif reported a "world-class" Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 70 in 2024, a metric indicating strong customer satisfaction and loyalty. By helping customers meet their own sustainability targets and de-risk their supply chains, Greif moves beyond a simple transactional relationship to become a strategic partner. This was recently recognized when the United States Postal Service honored Greif with a Supplier Innovation Award for a custom corrugated pallet box that delivered cost savings and environmental benefits.

This reputation also makes the company an attractive employer. With stated goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion, including a commitment to gender pay parity, Greif is better positioned to attract and retain top talent in a tight labor market. Furthermore, its community investments, which topped $1.3 million in 2024, help secure its social license to operate in 40 countries around the globe.

For investors, this consistent, externally validated performance signals a well-managed company focused on long-term value creation. By proactively addressing environmental risks, strengthening its supply chain, and building strong stakeholder relationships, Greif demonstrates a level of operational resilience that is increasingly prized in a volatile global market. Its leadership proves that for industrial companies, profitability and responsibility are not mutually exclusive but are, in fact, mutually reinforcing drivers of enduring success.