Mondi supports the United Nations' call for an international, legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution. The company is also one of the signatories of a joint vision for creating a circular economy published by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) and the WWF.
The vision, which was recently signed by over 80 companies and organisations along the plastics value chain, includes the creation of a circular economy, in which plastic does not become a waste product and its value is preserved. EMF and WWF are also proposing the establishment of a „Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty“, which will actively participate in the negotiations on the UN agreement and present the views of the shared vision.
„Global challenges require global answers. An international plastics agreement is a historic step, and we are pleased to support it and participate as part of the Business Coalition. We believe that working with others is essential to achieve progress on a large scale. With our „paper where possible, plastic where appropriate“ approach, we are pursuing a holistic concept that is in line with a circular plastics economy.”
Thomas Ott, CEO Flexible Packaging, Mondi
At the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in April of this year the 175 UN member states unanimously adopted a draft resolution on ending plastic pollution globally. The resolution is considered a historic step and one of the most important environmental agreements since the Paris Climate Agreement. An international committee is to draw up the exact content of the agreement by the end of 2024.
As part of the “Mondi Action Plan 2030” (MAP2030), the paper and packaging manufacturer aims to 100 per cent of its products are reusable, recyclable or compostable to make. In 2021, Mondi already achieved this for 78 per cent of its products based on turnover. In order to make the product portfolio more sustainable, the company is also focussing on expanding its own Research & Development facilities:
For example, Mondi recently announced the Opening of a recycling laboratory with a focus on fibre-based products and pulp at the Carinthian Frantschach location known. At the German site in Steinfeld, among other things research into the recyclability of plastics. To this end, the company has invested five million euros in a new Research and development centre invested.
The Cooperation with selected industry associations is one of Mondi's initiatives to further increase the recyclability of plastic packaging. The partner organisations include EMF, Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE) and CEFLEX in particular.
Source: Mondi
