Amcor shares its vision for a circular society at COP 16

At the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) in Santiago de Cali, Colombia, Amcor’s R&D Sustainability Specialist, Martin Garcia, contributed to a roundtable discussion hosted by key customer Reckitt and facilitated by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, sharing insights on the global shift toward a circular economy and more sustainable consumption practices. Amcor also engaged attendees at a dedicated booth, fostering dialogue and interaction throughout the event.

At Amcor, we are driving the shift toward more sustainable packaging solutions that protect essential goods like medicines and food. Packaging circularity is central to Amcor’s sustainability strategy, and we work closely with stakeholders across the value chain to help create a system where circularity is the default.

“We’ve made steady progress toward our 2025 pledge. In January 2018, Amcor became the first packaging company to commit to making all packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025. Today, Amcor can offer recycle-ready alternatives for 94% of our flexible packaging portfolio. However, in Latin America, only 60% of these solutions are commercially viable, indicating that while more sustainable packaging options exist, industry and market support is lacking to drive adoption.” said Martin Garcia. “Amcor has shown progress to drive the transition to a circular economy. We need to phase out problematic, non-essential plastic products and shift to structures that work in recycling streams. Equally essential is collaboration among multiple stakeholders, from consumers participating in recycling programs to cities offering recycling services and industries demanding recycled materials.”

While consumer demand for recyclable packaging will stimulate investments into recycling infrastructures, collaboration with customers on introducing more sustainable packaging solutions is equally important. By working with customers like Reckitt, we’re anticipating consumer needs, driving innovation and scaling more sustainable practices.

In addition, educating consumers on the importance of keeping packaging in the loop is essential to fostering a culture of circularity. At COP 16, Amcor engaged with citizens directly in the dedicated “green area,” illustrating how initiatives like “Botellas de Amor” (Bottles of Love) are not only helping to recycle plastic waste but are transforming communities. Through this initiative, flexible packaging waste is converted into building materials for schools, playgrounds and public spaces, demonstrating the positive impact of circular solutions on local lives.

“As a society, we must make the conscious decision to support and sustain circular systems, not only to continue building on the principles of a circular economy, but also to make a shift toward a circular society where circularity becomes the norm,” said Martin. “At Amcor, we are positioned to lead this transition due to our global reach and commitment to recyclable packaging design, along with the collective efforts of customers, governments, communities and companies alike. Through our joint commitment to transforming circular ideals into tangible reality, we can foster a world where biodiversity thrives, waste is minimized and the health of our planet is secured for future generations.”