NORWAY – Yara, a crop nutrition company has committed to introducing packaging incorporating at least 30% recycled plastic across Europe by the end of 2023, aiming to slash the carbon footprint of its packaging materials by 40% compared to 2021 levels by 2030.
Yara employs flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) in transporting fertilizers and agricultural produce, relying on plastic for safety and quality standards. Until now, acquiring sufficient recyclate supplies has been a challenge.
According to a Yara spokesperson, securing high recycled plastic content that meets the company’s stringent quality benchmarks has been an extensive and meticulous process, often resulting in limitations from producers.
“Quality is non-negotiable in our extensive and intricate fertilizer supply chains,” said the spokesperson.
Plastic packaging serves to safeguard product quality, shield against ambient factors like moisture, prevent product loss, and ensure the secure handling of bags weighing over 1,000 kg.
Despite these crucial functions, the surge in plastic consumption over the past decades has propelled Yara to contribute to reduction efforts, particularly through its FIBCs.
Yara’s initiatives span across Europe, Asia, and Africa, primarily focusing on integrating more recycled material into its bags.
They’ve introduced big and small bags containing a minimum of 30% recycled plastic, estimating that a complete replacement of bags in Europe would curtail virgin plastic use by around 3,000 tonnes annually, preventing roughly 6,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
In Brazil, Yara has initiated a collaboration to develop big bags composed entirely of rPET, aiming to replace approximately 2,000 tonnes of virgin plastic and diminish GHG emissions by about 4,000 tonnes per year. Similar projects are underway in countries like South Africa.
The company underscores the recyclability of most of its packaging materials, advocating for local collection and recycling schemes. Additionally, they are focused on redesigning materials to enhance recyclability.
Yara is also committed to reducing the volume of plastic per bag without compromising quality or safety, aiming for optimization through thinner materials.
Initiatives across various global markets have already yielded a substantial reduction in plastic usage, with plans to scale up these efforts.
In regions like Thailand, India, and West Africa, Yara’s strategies, from fabric innovation to refining bag specifications, have significantly curbed plastic consumption.
Acknowledging the complexity of the value chain, Yara collaborates with stakeholders to influence packaging production and post-use handling practices.
Recognizing the collaborative nature of addressing these challenges, Yara leverages its buying power and strong supplier relations to drive pivotal changes in necessary areas.
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