Coveris wins 2015 RafCycle Award

The RafCycle Award is presented in recognition of excellence in recycling and environmental performance. UPM Raflatac said Coveris has demonstrated great commitment to improving the environmental performance of self-adhesive labeling and promoting the sustainability of the labeling business more widely.

Jesse Rep, RafCycle and environment manager at UPM Raflatac, said: ‘RafCycle is fully integrated into Coveris’ operations. Its waste streams provide raw material for the UPM Plattling paper mill, UPM ProFi composite products and our waste to energy operations at UPM Schwedt. Moreover, since joining the program, Coveris have worked with UPM Raflatac to ensure full commercial sustainability in order to deliver increased value and provide new sales opportunities as a result of their improved environmental infrastructure. This clearly demonstrates the potential of our RafCycle program.’

By recycling and reusing waste streams through the RafCycle program, Coveris achieved a carbon dioxide reduction of 24 percent – equal to four transatlantic flights –, 34 percent energy saving  – equal to lighting the Eiffel tower for 13 years –, and a six percent water saving – equal to flushing 63 toilets for a year.

Coveris was presented with its RafCycle Award at Labelexpo Europe 2015. Dennis Patterson, chief operating officer for Coveris’ UK Labels division accepted the award at UPM Raflatac’s stand and said: ‘We are very proud to receive this award which reflects our ongoing commitment to both the environment and our wider stakeholder communities. By collaborating strategically with UPM Raflatac, we have been able to offer a complete 360 degree solution for a product that was previously categorised as waste. Building on our partnership, we will now look to further support the RafCycle through continued supply as well as exploring other new, and innovative environmental processes to enhance the value of our products.’