German chemical and consumer goods firm Henkel has recently signed the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, as part of its efforts towards sustainable packaging. Led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the initiative brings businesses to redesign the future of plastics and improve momentum toward a circular economy.
New Plastics Economy
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation-led initiative has been signed by 250 organizations that include many of the world’s largest packaging producers, retailers, brands and recyclers, as well as NGOs and governments. It was officially announced at the Our Ocean Conference in Bali, Indonesia by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with UN Environment. The collective aim is to eradicate plastic waste and pollution at the source.
The Global Commitment aims to create ‘a new normal’ for plastic packaging. Targets include:
• Eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and move from single-use to reuse packaging models.
• Innovate to ensure 100% of plastic packaging can be easily and safely reused, recycled, or composted by 2025
• Circulate the plastic produced, by significantly increasing amounts of plastics reused or recycled and made into new packaging or products
Clear Vision of a Circular Economy for Plastic
The Global Commitment’s vision for a circular economy for plastic is in line with Henkel’s engagement for sustainable packaging. Henkel has committed to:
• Henkel has committed to use 35% recycled plastic for its consumer goods products in Europe by 2025.
• Henkel has pledged to ensure that 100% of its packaging is recyclable compostable or reusable by 2025.
Henkel’s strategy for sustainable packaging highlights the three key phases of a circular value chain (smart packaging design, materials from sustainable sources, and closing the loop). It also includes specific actions for all three phases.
Henkel partnering with other organizations
Henkel is partnering with a variety of businesses, in order to promote enhanced recycling infrastructure and drive innovation in packaging development. According to the company, the progress toward sustainable packaging will only be seen when businesses from across industries and along the value chain are working together.
“The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment draws a line in the sand, with businesses, governments and others around the world uniting behind a clear vision for what we need to create a circular economy for plastic. This is just one step on what will be a challenging journey, but one which can lead to huge benefits for society, the economy and the environment,” said by Dame Ellen MacArthur, Founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
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