Together with 28 other major global businesses, Henkel has endorsed a business manifesto calling on governments to negotiate and agree on a UN (United Nations) treaty on plastic pollution.
Henkel is the owner of the Schwarzkopf Professional, Ladine, Indola and Authentic Beauty Concept hair brands.
The businesses’ call to action comes ahead of the 5th Session of the UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA5) and as a new report co-authored by the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Boston Consulting Group, outlines the necessity of such a binding international agreement to address plastic pollution.
Each year, 11 million metric tons of plastic are leaking into the environment, polluting oceans and other vital ecosystems. Current approaches appear to be falling short of successfully tackling the problem of plastic waste on a global scale. That is why Henkel decided to join together with other major businesses in the corporate manifesto calling for an international agreement to address plastic pollution. The endorsers are urging for a UN treaty that harmonises the complex landscape of regulatory standards, establishes common metrics and methodologies, mandates the development of national targets and action plans, and supports innovation and infrastructure development to create a level playing field across the plastic value chain.
“Plastic waste ending up in the environment is one of the biggest challenges humankind is facing today. At Henkel, we recognise our responsibility to address this global problem. We are committed to driving progress toward a circular economy, partnering along the value chain to promote sustainable solutions, and contributing to avoid plastic waste,” says Sylvie Nicol, member of the Henkel Management Board responsible for Human Resources and Sustainability. “However, the activities of individual businesses will not be enough. We need a global framework on UN level to coordinate stakeholder actions and help drive change for the plastic pollution problem at a scale.”
As part of Henkel’s sustainability efforts, the company has set itself ambitious packaging targets for 2025 to promote a circular economy. By then, 100% of Henkel's packaging will be recyclable or reusable* and the company will reduce fossil-based virgin plastics by 50% in its consumer goods packaging. Additionally, Henkel wants to help prevent waste from being disposed of in the environment. In order to achieve this, Henkel is supporting waste collection and recycling initiatives and investing in innovative solutions and technologies to promote closed-loop recycling. One example for this is Henkel’s partnership with Plastic Bank, a social enterprise that aims to stop plastic pollution from entering the oceans, while also providing opportunities for people in poverty.
Henkel is also engaged in initiatives such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, being a signatory to their New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, or the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW).
More information on the business call for UN treaty on plastic pollution can be found at www.plasticpollutiontreaty.org.
More information on Henkel’s commitment and actions for sustainable packaging can be found at www.henkel.com/plastic.
*Excluding adhesive products where residue may affect recyclability or pollute recycling streams.
Comments