Curtis Packaging Purchases 100% Clean, Renewable Energy

SANDY HOOK, Conn.—Curtis Packaging Corporation announced today its agreement with Community Energy, Inc. to purchase clean, pollution free, renewable energy equal to 100 percent of its energy usage. This purchase illustrates the company’s continued commitment to the environment and the community.

Curtis Packaging, one of the nation’s leaders in packaging design and printing, will purchase a portion of its clean energy commitment through the CTCleanEnergyOptions Program, with the majority of the renewable energy being sourced from wind power. Curtis is one of the first printing and packaging companies in the nation to be both Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and use 100 percent renewable energy.

“We are proud to be a leader in our industry, and to continue to do our part to protect the environment,” said Don Droppo Jr., vice president of sales and marketing for Curtis Packaging. “Our customers and the community value the commitment we’ve made to a safe and secure energy future. It’s gratifying to know that our products will be manufactured using clean, renewable energy. We are confident that we are doing the right thing by reducing the impact on the environment without sacrificing the high quality products that our clients demand.”

Curtis Packaging, based in Sandy Hook, CT, will buy a total of 4,524,800 kilowatt-hours (kWhs) of renewable energy per year for the next three years. Compared to the average generation mix in the Regional and National electric grids where the renewables are being generated, the estimated environmental benefit from this purchase is equal to offsetting more than 7.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year, the impact of which is equivalent to planting more than 480,000 trees or not driving 6.2 million miles per year. This renewable energy purchase follows Curtis Packaging FSC certification, in which the company committed to use paperboard generated by suppliers who practice responsible forestry. Curtis Packaging is also certified by the SmartWood Sustainable Forestry Program of the Rainforest Alliance.

Community Energy President Brent Alderfer stated, “Curtis Packaging has stepped up to the energy challenge by converting energy use to an environmental advantage. Purchasing renewable generation to power its electricity needs sets the standard that makes a clean and secure energy future possible.”

The majority of the renewable energy mix will be sourced from wind power, the fastest growing energy source in the U.S. today. Approximately 30 percent of the total purchase will be a blend of renewable sources, including locally generated wind power, purchased through the Connecticut Clean Energy Options Program available through Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P). At that level of participation in the program, Curtis Packaging will help Newtown (Sandy Hook), CT begin to qualify for a free solar electric system and become a Clean Energy Community.