Before sustainability was a buzzword or recyclability a market demand, Ring Container Technologies was already looking inward, asking a simple but impactful question: What can we do today to make tomorrow better? This ethos, passed down through decades of leadership, has guided our journey toward thoughtful innovation, green practices, and reliable solutions that make a tangible difference.

It began with a mindset shared by Ring’s leadership, who believed in conserving resources not only for cost savings but for long-term impact. That vision has since been carried forward, continuing to build this legacy with a forward-thinking approach to packaging innovation and manufacturing.

Rooted in responsibility
Long before sustainability was a global priority, Ring began implementing practices that reflected a commitment to reducing waste and promoting reuse. The team started small by separating materials in our plants, finding local partners who could handle the disposal of these for recycling, and rethinking how surplus substances were managed.

These early efforts laid the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of Ring’s operations – a zero-waste manufacturing philosophy. By establishing relationships with local suppliers, the team ensured that materials such as dunnage and other manufacturing byproducts were reused or repurposed into new ones, such as plastic pallets, which can then be reintegrated into the manufacturing process.

This method cuts waste and reinforces how local partnerships can create global impact. Today, a circular approach remains central to Ring’s operations, continually taking steps forward to help preserve the planet for future generations.

Sustainability as a standard
Ring’s journey has been shaped not only by our internal values but by our rigorous, measurable approach to improvement. That commitment has been validated by the EcoVadis sustainability assessment platform, which has become a critical driver in the company’s continued progress. Over a four-year span, we advanced from Silver to Gold designations and have now earned Platinum ratings for two consecutive years – placing Ring among the top 1% of organizations evaluated worldwide. Year over year, our EcoVadis scores have risen significantly across key areas, reflecting our dedication to ethical and environmentally responsible practices at every level of operation.

“EcoVadis is often used as a benchmarking tool for companies,” stated Gina MacIlwraith, of 3R Sustainability, Ring’s EcoVadis training partner. “To achieve a platinum medal with EcoVadis, sustainability must be integrated into every aspect of the business – that’s how transformation takes shape.”

EcoVadis helped reshape Ring’s operations by formalizing a sustainability management system grounded in governance, accountability, and continuous improvement. A two-tier model, anchored by executive leadership and a steering committee, ensures that our strategy is turned into action. With a real-time dashboard tracking performance across critical metrics, we can monitor impact, identify gaps, and adjust our course proactively.

Partnerships that push progress
Building on the momentum from EcoVadis, Ring has strategically aligned with leading industry organizations to continue advancing circularity and innovation. One of the most significant breakthroughs came through the development of BarrierGuard® OxygenSmart™, which meets Critical Guidance from Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for being non-detrimental to the clear PET recycling stream.

BarrierGuard® OxygenSmart™ also earned back-to-back Sustainable Packaging Innovation Awards from the U.S. Plastics Pact in 2022 and 2023, another testament to the impact of solutions that are both high-performing and recyclable. The U.S. Plastics Pact, which Ring joined in 2023, aims to create a circular economy for plastics, ensuring that plastics never become waste. As a member of the U.S. Plastics Pact, Ring has committed to working toward the same targets as many of its customers.

“By prioritizing both functionality and sustainability, innovations like BarrierGuard® OxygenSmart™ contribute to a regenerative system for plastics—one where materials are designed to be reused and recycled rather than discarded,” said Crystal Bayliss of the U.S. Plastics Pact. “These innovations ensure packaging protects the product as intended but also enable higher-quality postconsumer recycled content and create more opportunities to use recycled content in new packaging, all of which are key to achieving a circular economy for plastic packaging.”

In 2022, Ring joined Operation Clean Sweep (OCS), pledging zero plastic resin loss across its facilities to protect the environment. We have made strides in our efforts by creating internal procedures and metrics, upgrading our facilities, and providing employee training. Ring also participates in quarterly data reporting for OCS Core Metrics, and we are proud to have achieved our zero resin loss goals.

We also play an active role in the Ag Container Recycling Council, having helped it collect more than 30 million pounds of agricultural containers and working closely with partners to improve materials management and support stronger supply chains from the ground up.

Taken together, these efforts form a comprehensive strategy – one rooted in measurable progress, bold partnerships, and a clear mission: to create packaging solutions that make it easier for every customer to meet their sustainability goals without compromise.

Collaboration driving innovation
This spirit of partnership extends beyond our industry affiliations and into the work we do with our clients and team. Ring’s approach thrives on our Collaborate to Innovate framework, certifying that every solution is developed with purpose – addressing customer needs holistically while driving progress in packaging design and functionality.

At the center of this process is our technical center, where ideas move from concept to reality. Our in-house research lab and design facility are equipped with a full suite of advanced tools, including computer-aided design (CAD), finite element analysis (FEA), 3-D rendering software, and rapid prototyping capabilities. These technologies enable us to explore new materials, test packaging performance, and deliver precision-engineered solutions at unmatched speed while ensuring our products remain recyclable.

The innovation journey continues in what we call the Exploratorium, a specialized space where breakthrough science becomes tangible. Here, our product development teams push the boundaries of what’s possible in packaging by transforming emerging materials and newly discovered processes into functional prototypes. This proof-of-concept work, grounded in science and tailored to real-world application, allows our clients to stay ahead of trends.

Whether through consumer insight sprints, which turn design concepts into testable prototypes, or bottle design sprints, which bring hundreds of ideas to life in a single day, Ring combines speed, precision, and customer-focused creativity to create smarter, more dependable, greener packaging.

Looking ahead
As we look to the future, Ring remains focused on advancing our legacy of reliability, innovation, and sustainability that began decades ago. Our participation in the United States Department of Energy’s Better Plants Program further underscores our dedication. By 2028, we aim to achieve a 20% reduction in energy intensity (resin pounds/kWh) across our U.S. manufacturing operations compared to our 2018 baseline.

But the center of our work lies in the relationships we build – with customers, industry partners, suppliers, and the communities we serve. By listening, learning, and leading with purpose, we are continuing to find new ways to conserve today and preserve tomorrow.