To achieve a low-carbon circular economy, meaning a system that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution1, there must be a shift from a “take-make-waste” model2 towards a new way of thinking and acting.
We contribute to this change by driving circular solutions.
Why is a circular economy important?
The global economy consumes 70% more new materials than can be renewed, and global waste is only increasing3. Over 90% of extracted materials are wasted, with only 8.6% repurposed in our economy4. This indicates overconsumption and requires us to move away from a "take-make-waste" model that harms human and ecosystem5 health to a circular, low-carbon economy to reduce our environmental impact.
Our ambition is to drive circular solutions by designing recyclable food and beverage packaging, designing equipment that can be reused and recycled, using recycled and renewable materials, and expanding collection and recycling to keep materials in use and out of landfills.
Moving towards a circular economy
Our paper-based carton packages are already recyclable where adequate collection, sorting and recycling infrastructures are in place. In places where collection infrastructure is still being built up, we’re co-investing with recyclers in new equipment and facilities to increase recycling capacity. We collaborate with several stakeholders around the world to create market demand for recycled products – and we design our carton packages to increase the fibre content and use of recycled materials.
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Moving towards a circular economy
Our paper-based carton packages are already recyclable where adequate collection, sorting and recycling infrastructures are in place. In places where collection infrastructure is still being built up, we’re co-investing with recyclers in new equipment and facilities to increase recycling capacity. We collaborate with several stakeholders around the world to create market demand for recycled products – and we design our carton packages to increase the fibre content and use of recycled materials.
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Our strategic ambitions and 2030 targets
Related links
1In line with the circular economy definition of Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation. Source: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview
2Reference to the linear economy as defined by EMF: "An economy in which finite resources are extracted to make products that are used - generally not to their full potential - and then thrown away ('take-make-waste')". Source: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/glossary
3The World Bank. (2018). WHAT A WASTE 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050. Source: Worldbank.org
4Circularity Gap Report: FIVE YEARS of the Circularity Gap Report (2022). Source: https://www.circularity-gap.world/2022
5‘Ecosystem’ means a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit. Source: Article 2 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, https://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/. The definition of human health by the WHO is “ a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Source: https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution
6The non-fibre component of carton packages is known as polyAl, which designates the layers of polyolefins and aluminium being used as barrier against oxygen and humidity to protect the food content in aseptic carton packages.