Plastics Action Alliance by ABP sets ambitious plastic reduction goals

The Plastics Action Alliance, a newly established consortium consisting of 11 prominent companies in the agricultural processing and food sectors in Ireland, has outlined its primary goals. This pioneering consortium is dedicated to drastically reducing plastic packaging usage within their operations. Initiated in late 2018, the Plastics Action Alliance represents a significant collaboration across diverse segments of the agri-food industry, including companies like ABP (beef), Aurivo (dairy), Manor Farm (poultry), Irish Country Meats (lamb), Rosderra (pork), Keelings (fruit), Monaghan Mushrooms (mushrooms), Country Crest/Ballymaguire Foods (vegetables and prepared meals), Nature’s Best (salads), C&D Foods (pet food), and Bandon Co-Op (dairy). The alliance has set forth several ambitious goals for its members, including: - Reducing the usage and volume of plastic packaging while maintaining product quality, shelf life, and customer satisfaction. - Phasing out unnecessary single-use plastics, such as water bottles, straws, and coffee cups, across all member locations by the end of 2020. - Discontinuing the use of PVC in packaging when feasible alternatives that meet necessary functionality exist by the end of 2020. - Achieving an average of 30% recycled content in all plastic packaging by the end of 2025. - Adopting cardboard packaging certified by PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement) or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) by the end of 2020. - Actively exploring new materials derived from renewable resources. - Redesigning packaging to minimize plastic content. - Eliminating problematic or unnecessary single-use plastic packaging through design improvements, innovation, or alternative renewable materials by 2025. - Ensuring all plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025. - Preventing any packaging waste from member sites from being sent to landfill by the end of 2020. Aidan Cotter, serving as the independent Chairman of the Plastics Action Alliance, stated, “It's crucial to show that our member companies, who are industry leaders in Ireland, are genuinely committed to reducing plastic usage. The goals we've established are a clear indication of the Alliance's commitment to implementing more sustainable practices within their operations. While some of our goals are quite ambitious, we are confident in our ability to achieve them.”