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:
1) Take action to eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging by 2025
2) Take action to move from single-use towards reuse models where relevant by 2025
3) 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025
4) 25% of plastic packaging being from recycled content by 2025 (where it does not compromise functionality or food heath requirements)
Graeme Smith, Sustainability Manager, Mondi Consumer Packaging said: “Media reports on sustainability often send mixed and incomplete messages to consumers who are trying to educate themselves on the topic. This poses a challenge – but also serves as a powerful catalyst – in developing a stream of actionable innovation projects that meet shifting expectations and priorities.”
For many years Mondi has been making sustainable fibre-based and flexible plastic packaging for forward-thinking FMCG brands, and working in collaboration with sustainable materials suppliers and recyclers. The Group’s flexible packaging solutions can contribute towards global sustainable plastics, based on circular economy principles and designed to maximise functionality and recyclability, and thereby minimise waste throughout the life cycle.
