Merrill’s published its first external Environmental, Social, and Governance Report in 2025. However, we have been tracking and reporting environmental metrics internally to inform our production processes for decades.
Earth Day 2026: How Merrill’s Packaging Is Building a More Sustainable Future
Earth Day is a moment for reflection, a chance to measure not just intentions, but impact. At Merrill’s, sustainability has long been woven into the fabric of how we operate. With that commitment firmly in place, we’re proud to share the meaningful progress outlined in our most recent ESG Report — a testament to what’s possible when commitment meets action.
Reducing Waste, Raising the Bar
One of our most significant environmental achievements was the dramatic reduction of scrap material across our operations. Using specialized design and ongoing improvements, we reduced scrap from 45% to 28%—a nearly 40% improvement that shows our discipline and commitment to minimizing waste through smarter recycling and material recovery. In addition to those gains, we directed over $60,000 toward high-efficiency cooling systems, laying the foundation for a smarter, leaner, and more sustainable operation.
Doing More With Less
At the core of our approach, solutions that balance efficiency and environmental responsibility drive everything we do. Merrill’s Packaging reduced water usage by 25.7%, while simultaneously increasing parts production by 14.1%. Beyond the numbers, that kind of efficiency is the result of intentional process design and a team that understands sustainability and productivity are not competing priorities.
Governance You Can Count On
Across every level of our organization, sustainability extends beyond environmental metrics. We achieved zero ethics violations, zero IT breaches, and zero audit issues — a record that speaks to the integrity of our team and the strength of our internal frameworks. In support of that foundation, we further formalized this commitment by establishing an Ethics Committee and expanding fraud prevention training.
Investing in Our People
Within our workforce, a culture of continuous learning shapes how we grow. Our team logged 6,482 hours of training, and 40% of our top management positions are held by women — reflecting our commitment to professional development and inclusive leadership that drives better outcomes for our business and our customers.
Recognition That Reflects Our Values
Among the milestones we’re most proud of, Merrill’s Packaging earned Bronze EcoVadis Certification — a globally recognized standard validating our performance in sustainability, ethics, and responsible business practices. For our partners across the supply chain, this serves as confirmation that our efforts are measurable, verified, and meaningful.
Looking Ahead
In line with the Nelipak network’s vision, Merrill’s Packaging is better positioned than ever to advance sustainable innovation in healthcare packaging. From recycling initiatives to operational solutions that reduce our environmental footprint, this Earth Day we’re not just celebrating progress — we’re recommitting to the work ahead.
To learn more about Merrill’s Packaging, a Nelipak company, and our sustainability initiatives, visit merrillspackaging.com and www.nelipak.com.