Mondi has co-founded a groundbreaking alliance aimed at improving the circularity of paper bags in the construction industry.
The initiative, named Paper Sacks Go Circular Spain, brings together 12 European companies from across the value chain to address the pressing issue of construction waste management.
In Spain, where construction waste accounts for over 30% of total waste generated with a recovery rate of only 48%, this alliance seeks to make a significant impact. The coalition aims to increase recycling rates for paper bags used for materials such as cement, plaster, and insulation, balancing sustainability with economic viability.
The alliance, supported by industry associations Eurosac and CEPI Eurokraft, recently hosted a webinar titled "Construction Goes Circular," attracting over 80 industry participants. The event introduced the initiative and outlined roles and responsibilities within the value chain.
Carlos Martinez Ezquerra, Circular Economy Manager at Mondi Flexible Packaging, emphasized the initiative's importance: "This demonstrates Mondi's commitment to collaborating with industry partners to increase recycling rates for used paper bags. It creates a scalable approach for the rest of Europe and other industries."
The Arpada Group from Spain is already implementing the alliance's principles, successfully separating construction waste for efficient paper bag recycling and developing optimized waste management systems.
Moving forward, the alliance plans to establish working groups focusing on process optimization, traceability, certification, training, best practices, communication, and exploring synergies with other construction waste materials.
Mondi is a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper solutions, headquartered in Weybridge, United Kingdom. The company operates across the entire packaging and paper value chain, focusing on creating innovative, sustainable products that meet the needs of various industries.
