Paradise Reimagined: Forging a Way Forward in Bali
Sustainability
October 14, 2019Reading time: 2 minutes
After three years away, 16 Amcor people return to Bali for Earthwatch 2019. This is an opportunity to see what has changed, on a local level, and understand how this long-term partnership is helping to better protect the environment.
After three years away, 16 Amcor people return to Bali for Earthwatch 2019. This is an opportunity to see what has changed, on a local level, and understand how this long-term partnership is helping to better protect the environment.
As part of our aspiration to be the leading global packaging company, we take our responsibility to better protect the environment seriously. Since 2001, we have partnered with Earthwatch on expeditions that gather data to inform research on pollution and climate change.
In the time between our visits, Indonesian government has made major changes to environmental policies, including a ban on single-use plastics. It will be fascinating to see how this has already had an impact on waste in the environment.
Keep reading to find out more about the 2019 expedition.
The opportunity to see real change in action
Bali is a visually stunning and culturally rich island. However, its fragile ecosystem is threatened by marine debris. Findings from Ocean Conservancy show that most plastic comes from just five rapidly growing economies – of which Indonesia is one. Increasing economic power is generating exploding demand for consumer products that hasn’t been met with investment in effective waste management infrastructure.
That’s why, in 2016, 16 Amcor people travelled to Bali to measure the types and quantities of debris that washed up on beaches around the island, and to explore the cultural context that influences waste management.
Three years later, the Indonesian government has introduced bans on single-use plastic packaging and many communities have started to implement local plastic management approaches. This means Amcor’s 2019 Earthwatch fellows have a unique opportunity to see whether these actions are already reducing marine debris and improving local environments.
Earthwatch 2019 fellows will measure the type and quantity of marine debris, review local waste-management infrastructure, and will also brainstorm strategies to deal with waste management issues that they’ve witnessed.
This experience changes people personally and influences them professionally. And the knowledge they bring back is valuable to Amcor, and is taken into account as we develop more sustainable packaging. It helps us make huge strides towards our 2025 Pledge.
How Earthwatch changes people and planet
Anne Sofie Brusendorff, Sales Executive Food Nordics, Amcor
Earthwatch 2018 fellow
“Every day on the Earthwatch expedition was filled with so many incredible experiences and learnings. I already had a strong opinion on environmental issues, and the expedition only reinforced my passion to work towards a more sustainable planet. Since returning, I’ve been working on Paperly™, Amcor’s paper-based packaging that just won Diamond at the Dow’s 2019 Packaging Innovation Awards.”
Serhii Dudka, Production Technologist, Amcor
Earthwatch 2018 fellow
“I’m very grateful for being able to experience Earthwatch. This kind of initiative raises awareness about sustainability very effectively, as every participant comes back with a clear message about the real challenges we’re facing. Since my return, I’ve made changes to everyday decisions (e.g. what products I buy) and have continued to be involved in International Coastal Cleanup events at my plant. I’ve even managed to recruit my friends and family to help!”
Related read: A data-led approach to sustainability and tackling ocean debris in Peru
Collaboration will change the future
Collaboration is one of our core values, and at Amcor that means working in partnership with people and organizations around the world to deliver practical solutions to create a better environment. Our annual Earthwatch expeditions sit alongside our membership of Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance, and work for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy initiative.
This kind of global collaboration is essential to achieve our ambition of redesigning the future of packaging. We’re also working with partners from the value chain in Europe to develop recycling options for flexible packaging (CEFLEX) and the US (Materials Recovery for the Future). Both are identifying and implementing viable, practical and economic solutions to keep plastics in the economy and out of the environment.
Looking to the future
Our partnership with Earthwatch helps our people better understand the scale of the challenge and the urgent need to better protect the environment. While making packaging that is recyclable or reusable is important – the basis of our 2025 Pledge – real change goes beyond packaging production.
Achieving recycling at scale in specific geographies depends on local infrastructure, consumer participation, funding, regulations, and other factors. To succeed takes collaboration with relevant stakeholders to undertake and support actions to increase recycling rates where Amcor packages are sold. And that is what we are doing. By working together, we can implement long-term social, economic and governmental solutions that create a better planet for all.
Stay up to date with our Earthwatch expedition on Twitter and read more about Amcor’s commitment to sustainability.
