Project Proof, an Ellen MacArthur Foundation Pioneer Project led by Mondi, has developed a usable pouch prototype containing 20 per cent post-consumer waste bringing flexible packaging one step closer to a circular economy.

A proof-of-concept prototype flexible plastic pouch, incorporating a minimum of 20 per cent post-consumer plastic waste originating from mixed household waste, is suitable for packaging household products such as detergent.

Mondi will now develop the prototype further to ensure it can be rolled out as a commercially viable product for its multinational FMCG customers. This will support Mondi’s work as a signatory of the New Plastics Economy Commitment to ensure a minimum of 25 per cent of post-consumer waste is incorporated across all its flexible plastic packaging where food contact regulations allow by 2025.

Georg Kasperkovitz, CEO Mondi Consumer Packaging says, “We believe that working in partnership is key to finding a solution for plastic waste by driving innovation and broad systemic change throughout the plastics value chain with a focus on replacing, reducing and recycling.”

Importantly, the pouch has deliberately used the worst input material, underlining the potential what could be manufactured when better quality, pre-sorted materials are used as input. Better waste collection mechanisms and a focus on packaging designed for recycling could improve the process and help close the sustainability loop further.

Also facilitated by EMF, other Pioneer Projects are underway and led by different stakeholders across the plastics value chain. Mondi is participating in three other ongoing Pioneer Projects: Project Barrier; Project Sea and Project Holy Grail. Project Barrier is focusing on developing guidelines for recyclable plastic-based flexible barrier packaging in the future. Project Sea is analysing waste material flows within a region to understand where waste accumulates at the end of its life. Project Holy Grail is developing tracers and digital watermarks to allow recyclers to automate the identification of plastic types quickly and ease recycling to support a circular economy.

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