Last week the first New Plastics Economy Global Commitment report was launched, revealing targets and initial steps by Global Commitment signatories including Mondi. The global packaging and paper group has confirmed four commitments as part of its efforts to eliminate plastics waste and thereby contribute to a better world.
Mondi first started collaborating with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in 2017, and joined the New Plastics Economy initiative in 2018 to work towards eliminating plastic pollution and creating 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable plastic packaging by 2025. Peter Oswald, Mondi’s Group CEO, said: “We believe all packaging must be ‘fit for purpose’: paper where possible, plastic when useful. Paper is the packaging material of choice as it is naturally compostable and a renewable resource, not just recyclable. Mondi, as the world’s leading producer of kraft paper and paper bags, has many innovative solutions to reduce plastic waste. Where the functionality of plastic is needed, we have flexible plastic solutions, which typically reduce the amount of plastic required by 70%. The public focus on the impact of plastic waste is a big opportunity for Mondi to lead the packaging industry with innovative paper and plastic packaging EcoSolutions that are sustainable by design.”
Our paper and flexible plastic packaging solutions regularly win awards, but commercial demand for some of our most innovative sustainable packaging was limited before last year. The public focus on the impact of plastic waste is changing that. This momentum gives us an important opportunity to lead our industry with innovative paper and plastic packaging EcoSolutions that are sustainable by design.”
Mondi believes that working together with other businesses, partners and governments is key to finding a solution for plastic waste. It is essential to drive innovation and broad systemic change throughout the plastics value chain.
Mondi has committed to:
- Take action to eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging by 2025
- Take action to move from single-use towards reuse models where relevant by 2025
- 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025
- 25% of plastic packaging being from recycled content by 2025 (where it does not compromise functionality or food heath requirements)
