Ardagh Group

Our work is to establish and conserve permanent native woodland in Ireland, encouraging land regeneration and biodiversity. What inspired you to work with Hometree?
Ardagh Group is a producer of sustainable metal and glass packaging solutions, we are committed to meeting the requirements of a true circular economy. Across our operations we have ambitious targets to mitigate our impacts on nature by reducing our emissions and transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2030 in line with our approved Science based Targets Initiative targets.

In addition to mitigating our impacts, we also want to make a positive contribution to nature. Over the last few years, our community volunteering strategy across Europe has centred on learning more about nature and biodiversity. Many of our sites have established native wildflower meadows, reduced mowing and created community gardens and outdoor classrooms with local schools. Hometree’s mission to establish and conserve permanent native woodland in Ireland resonates deeply with our purpose – We make packaging for good. Native woodlands not only restore biodiversity but also contribute to carbon sequestration and the resilience of ecosystems. Our partnership with Hometree aligns with our commitment to supporting a more sustainable future, as your work amplifies the positive impact of our environmental efforts.

You will not see some of the trees you are planting reach maturity, what has inspired such a long term vision?
Some of our glass and metal production facilities have been in operation for more than 200 years. In some countries, generations of families have and will work with us to produce our sustainable packaging, deeply connecting us to the communities in which we operate. As a signatory of the UN Global Compact, we believe in the concept of sustainable development – meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.

Something as complex as biodiversity requires a long-term vision; it needs to be embedded in our community, and requires expertise as our understanding of nature continues to evolve. Planting trees that will thrive long after our lifetimes is an act of hope and legacy. It’s about ensuring that the choices we make today leave behind a healthier, more abundant world.

Have there been any key moments you can share about how you or your organisation decided to support a more abundant and healthier world?
A pivotal moment was when we revisited the broader implications of our sustainability commitments and considered that it’s not just about reducing our operational impact—it’s also about actively contributing to regeneration. Biodiversity is a key pillar to our community engagement strategy alongside STEM and the circular economy. Partnering with initiatives like Hometree gives us the opportunity to go beyond compliance and become part of a movement to restore balance in the natural world.

Would you like to share any key lessons life has taught you?
One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is the power of collective action. Real change happens when individuals, communities, and organisations come together with shared purpose. We’ve also learned that sustainability - particularly where topics as complex as Biodiversity are concerned - requires constant learning, adaptation, and a willingness to take the long view. We don’t have all the answers, but we are confident that by partnering with experts such as Hometree, we can deepen our understanding. Perhaps more importantly, we recognise that small, thoughtful steps can lead to profound impacts over time. It’s a reminder that while the scale of the biodiversity crisis may at times seem overwhelming, planting even one tree can contribute to a forest.