Board Converting News, April 29, 2024

Packaging Is Biggest Driver Of Global Plastics Use BY GREG KISHBAUGH Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, marks a global commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. Earth Day has evolved into a worldwide movement, engaging millions of people across the

UPM Raflatac Launches RafCycle Partner Program UPM Raflatac has unveiled RafCycle Partner Program, an initiative designed to enhance sustainability and circularity in the labeling industry. Building on the RafCycle recycling service, this program invites businesses in

North America to join a network of partners committed to reducing their carbon footprint and fostering a circular economy. Participation in the program reportedly en- ables converters to collect release liner waste from their customers and then leave the recy- cling to UPM Raflatac.

globe in activities such as tree planting, clean-up campaigns and ad- vocacy for environmental policies. Its organizer is EARTHDAY.ORG, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting environmental conser- vation and mobilizing communities to take action for a healthier planet. The theme of this year’s Earth Day was “Planet vs. Plastics” – a theme chosen to raise awareness of the damage done by plastic to hu- mans, animals and the planet and to promote policies aiming to reduce global plastic production by 60 percent by 2040. Rapid Growth Of Plastic Use Global plastics use has increased rapidly over the past few de- cades, growing 250 percent since 1990 to reach 460 million tons in 2019, according to the OECD’s Global Plastics Outlook, which projects another 67 percent increase in global plastics use by 2040 and for the world’s annual plastic use to exceed one billion tons by 2052. Packaging is the largest driver of global plastics use, which is why a rapid phasing out of all single use plastics by 2030 is one of the policy measures proposed under EARTHDAY.ORG’s 60X40 framework.

According to the company, this value-add- ed benefit helps brands avoid additional dis- posal costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and meet their sustainability goals. Partners receive local, hands-on support, along with complimentary RafCyle material pickup from their central collection point.

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April 29, 2024

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