UPM Raflatac signs up to New Plastics Economy Global Commitment in pursuit of a circular economy for plastics

The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment has been created to unite businesses, governments, and other organizations behind a common vision. It seeks to address plastic waste and pollution at its source. Signatories include companies representing 20 percent of all plastic packaging produced globally, as well as governments, NGOs, universities, industry associations, investors and other organizations. By becoming a s signatory, UPM Raflatac joins around 250 other organizations, including many of the world’s largest packaging producers, brands, retailers and recyclers, as well as governments and NGOs, in working towards a circular economy for plastics. The Global Commitment and its vision for a circular economy for plastic is led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in collaboration with UN Environment. The commitment has been officially unveiled at the Our Ocean Conference in Bali on October 29.

By signing the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, UPM Raflatac wants to demonstrate its commitment to ‘labeling a smarter future’ beyond fossils. By developing sustainable labeling options and partnerships, UPM Raflatac identified how it is supporting brand owners in eliminating unnecessary plastic packaging and moving towards their target of 100 percent of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Its initiatives and products such as the RafCycle recycling concept, thin film materials, wash-off adhesives and label materials containing recycled content are further identified as examples of how UPM Raflatac can enable the circular economy.

Robert Taylor, sustainability director, UPM Raflatac, commented: ‘Labels are everywhere and an integral part of packaging. Wrapped around food, beverages, cosmetics and medicines, to name a few. Labels matter and as the leader in sustainability we can support brands meet their ambitious targets on their journey towards a circular future. We would like to invite our clients, brands, and other stakeholders to work with us to make the plastics economy truly circular.’

UPM Raflatac has previously joined Ellen MacArthur's Circular Economy 100 (CE 100) program, as part of its work to create a more sustainable future.