Tackling pollution together
EU Green Week 2021 begins today, engaging with all stakeholders on how we can work together to make the ambition for a zero pollution a reality. The newly adopted EU Zero Pollution Action Plan targets a 50% decrease of waste and ocean plastic litter as well as a 30% reduction of the number of microplastics released into the environment, by 2030.
As part of our solutions for post-consumer packaging, Huhtamaki is committed to having 100% of our products recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2030. Furthermore, with regards to emissions, we commit to use of 100% renewable energy and reach carbon neutral production by 2030. We can reach these targets through innovation and a focus on scientific evidence to find the best alternatives for the environment.
At Huhtamaki, we want to contribute to a resource efficient circular economy. Nobody can tackle sustainability challenges alone. Pollution is an issue with widespread consequences across industries, societies and geographies. In order for us to cut down pollution, be it plastic waste or emissions, we must work together. For instance, in addition to manufacturers developing recyclable structures, wider investments into collection and recycling infrastructure are necessary to achieve higher recycling rates. We need to innovate to find the right solutions to unlock sustainability – together.
Sustainable food packaging is an essential part of achieving EU Green Deal
Food packaging is integral to the product it contains. With the rise of food demand, we have a great opportunity ahead of us to enhance the value of packaging, offering innovative and sustainable packaging solutions for consumers around Europe and the world. Food packaging is an essential part of the solution to enable sustainable food systems, which the EU Green Deal seeks to achieve.
Enabling framework for sustainability innovation is crucial
It is crucial to have an enabling framework for innovation in order to find the solutions to reach our common sustainability ambitions. Ultimately, to make environmentally viable decisions, we must have scientific evidence of the impacts of different alternatives, with better regulation underpinning policymaking. We must move beyond assumptions of environmental impacts and listen to evidence. For pollution to be tackled and sustainability to be genuinely established, without unintended consequences, common understanding and decision-making based on facts and scientific evidence are imperative for creating a systemic change.