Amcor expertise and funding helps to protect the world’s oceans
Sustainability
June 6, 2017Reading time: 2 minutes
Scientists estimate that more than 8 million metric tons of plastic is entering our ocean every year. Amcor is putting its packaging expertise to use to identify and implement solutions to this growing global problem, explains David Clark
Scientists estimate that more than 8 million metric tons of plastic is entering our ocean every year. Amcor is putting its packaging expertise to use to identify and implement solutions to this growing global problem, explains David Clark
The growing problem of plastic in oceans is a concern to people around the world, and it’s a challenge that Amcor is helping to tackle in partnership with leading sustainability organisation Ocean Conservancy.
Ocean Conservancy is a non-profit environmental organisation focused on marine health. In its latest report, data collected by volunteers during the 31st annual International Coastal Cleanup confirms that plastic in oceans continues to be a major global issue.
The Cleanup is the world’s largest volunteer effort on behalf of the ocean. In 2016, more than 500,000 volunteers removed over 18 million pounds (8,346,055 kg) of trash from the shorelines of beaches and waterways and directly from the water. They did this by walking, paddling, and swimming 14,997 miles (24,136 km) of shores, waterways and underwater habitats.
Amcor employees participate in the International Coastal Cleanup event each year. Last year, colleagues from Peru to Germany, the United States to El Salvador made a difference locally by participating in the event.
Our people care deeply about the impact of plastics on the environment and so we anticipate even greater numbers will take part in 2017.
In addition to our employees taking action, Amcor has committed technical and financial support to develop and propose solutions to governments and other organizations, including to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Finance Ministers’ Process (a forum for APEC member economies to address regional macroeconomic and financial issues). The region is a focus because research has identified that 60 percent of marine debris originates from five countries in the Asia Pacific region.
We encourage others to join the global effort to tackle plastics in oceans by signing up to the 2017 International Coastal Cleanup. Anyone can participate, joining millions of volunteers worldwide who love the ocean and want to protect it.
About Ocean Conservancy
Read the 2017 data release report
Join the International Coastal Cleanup 2017
About Amcor’s Sustainability Partnerships
Ocean Conservancy is one of three global sustainability partnerships for Amcor. We are directing our resources toward organisations that, like Amcor, are working to reduce the effects of packaging products on the environment and enhancing packaging so that it delivers humanitarian aid to those most in need around the world.
Another Amcor partnership is with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastics Economy initiative, contributing global packaging and supply chain expertise to rethinking and designing the future of plastics. The objective is to create a virtuous cycle for plastics that captures value, generates strong economics and is better for the environment.
Amcor is also applying its capability to the United Nations’ World Food Programme, enhancing packaging in order to get urgently needed supplies to more people in poverty and crisis. Improved packaging better protects food and other humanitarian aid along some of the world’s most challenging distribution chains so that those in need receive food supplies that are safe and nutritious.
Learn more about Amcor’s sustainability partnerships and initiatives at www.amcor.com/sustainability
