ZURICH, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Three years after
leading the packaging industry in embracing the challenge of having
all of its packaging be reusable or recyclable by 2025, Amcor
is today laying out its roadmap to continue to meet and accelerate
its sustainability aspirations.
Amcor is applying a three-pronged approach to creating a
responsible, more sustainable packaging system. The company is
innovating products to be recycled or reused, collaborating with
others to make recycling widely available and informing consumers
about how to participate in keeping waste out of the
environment.
Innovating
Amcor invests $100m every year in
research and development (R&D) to ensure a world-beating
pipeline of innovations that tackle the biggest technical and
practical barriers to packaging. This commitment to R&D has
produced remarkable results: just this year Amcor released its
new AmLite HeatFlex solution for retort packaging – the world's
first recyclable pouch for goods such as pet food and microwaveable
soups.
More broadly, the impact on Amcor's portfolio can be seen in its
sales, with $7.7bn and growing in
Amcor revenue generated from packaging that meets recyclability
guidelines.
Highlights include:
- AmPrima™ recycle ready solutions – a portfolio of more
sustainable packaging solutions, available in a wide range of
formats
- Eco-Tite R – the first recyclable shrink bag for meat and
cheese
- AmLite Recyclable – new and recyclable, metal-free packaging
for a range of food and healthcare applications
- Significant improvements in the use of post-consumer recycled
(PCR) content in rigid packaging, including the commercialisation
of many 100% PCR solutions and more than 100 million pounds of
recycled content being used annually over the last four years
Where technology already exists, Amcor works to increase
sustainability related features – such as reducing weight, which
decreases the product's CO2 impact – and offers customers
alternative solutions. The company also produces packaging
made from multiple materials – including paper and paperboard,
aluminium and resins – so that more and more of our packaging is
recyclable wherever the right infrastructure is in place.
Collaborating
Just like the most innovative mobile devices do not reach their
full potential without 4G or WiFi networks, effective waste
management infrastructures are critical to prevent packaging from
ending up in the environment. Where governments have dedicated the
right attention, governance and attention to recycling
infrastructure, positive outcomes for the environment have been
achieved.
To address this issue at scale and improve consistency of
infrastructure across the world, Amcor collaborates with expert
groups to run pilot programs, align standards, and advise on how to
expand and improve waste management and recycling infrastructure so
that more that can be recycled is recycled.
Highlights:
- Amcor's work with Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF)
– to promote recycling of flexible packaging in the US
- Work with CEFLEX (A Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging)
– to develop recycling infrastructure for flexible packaging
in Europe
- EMF Project Barrier – Amcor is a leading member of this
initiative to develop a global design-for-recyclability standard
for packaging traditionally seen as difficult to recycle
Informing
Amcor works with its customers to improve consumer understanding
and participation in recycling and reuse. Company research has
revealed consumer confusion regarding recycling labels – which
impacts recycling rates. Through product innovation, Amcor is also
increasing its use of PCR and post-industrial resin (PIR) – which
proves the effectiveness of recycling to consumers and reduces the
use of virgin plastic, despite a global shortage in PCR supply.
Highlights:
- Last year Amcor used 83,917 tonnes of recycled plastic resin
(PCR), as it pushes for its target of 10% PCR across its portfolio
by 2025
- Amcor's rigid packaging has been certified as 95% compliant
with the Consumer Goods' Forum's industry leading design-rules to
encourage recycling, with more and more of Amcor's packaging
meeting these rules across all of our packaging
- L'Oreal – 86% PCR bottle for 'All Nighter' setting spray, which
will save 46 tons of virgin plastic from being produced
David Clark, Amcor's Vice
President for Sustainability said:
"The progress that we have made since we became the first
packaging company to commit to the 2025 target is remarkable and is
a tribute to Amcor's absolute focus on reducing waste and improving
sustainability. Although we're not finished yet, our results to
date speak for themselves – Amcor is still leading the
industry and addressing the challenges of recyclability with
innovation, collaboration, and information."
About Amcor
Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible
packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and
personal-care, and other products. Amcor works with leading
companies around the world to protect their products and the people
who rely on them, differentiate brands, and improve supply chains
through a range of flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons,
closures, and services. The company is focused on making packaging
that uses less materials, is increasingly recyclable and reusable,
and is made with more recycled content. Around 47,000 Amcor people
generate $12.5 billion in annual
sales from operations that span about 230 locations in 40-plus
countries. NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC www.amcor.com I LinkedIn I Facebook
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SOURCE Amcor