Plastic waste and circularity: "Industry takes issues seriously”

Covestro’s Global Head of Tailored Urethanes, Christine Bryant, represented the company at the UNGA in two high level meetings, both focused on plastic waste and circularity.

“I was honored to be a part of meetings that carry such weight for the future of not only Covestro, but our entire industry and, frankly, the broader framework in which we manage materials globally,” said Bryant. “The opportunity to discuss Covestro’s progress in this space and show that we are already acting on concepts aligned with circularity helps to prove that industry takes these issues seriously and is willing to put in the work and capital to make real changes.”

In addition to the work Covestro has undertaken, across the industry, companies are moving quickly to advance decarbonization and circularity. For example, Dow and Waste Management have partnered to promote curbside recycling of plastic films, and Closed Loop Partners have joined forces with many industry players to create a multi-million dollar fund aimed at accelerating investment in plastics recycling infrastructure.

Discussions like the ones that took place during the UNGA are important to help provide stakeholders and decision makers a wholistic view about topics that will have an impact on industry in the near future. Progress is already being made towards a global plastic waste treaty, and although more negotiations are forthcoming, having a seat at the table ensures that Covestro’s and the industry’s interests are heard and, ideally, considered and implemented when pen meets paper.

The products of Covestro help make the world a brighter place and enable the advances to be seen across modern society, from the automotive and construction industries to the electronics, healthcare and renewable energy industries. The company’s vision to become fully circular and the ambitious goals for climate neutrality are mission critical – that’s the reason why the company must be able to continue to provide these important materials to society while at the same time addressing the concerns of governing bodies when it comes to sustainability and waste.

“We are on the right path,” said Bryant. “We have major projects underway in every region to decarbonize our operations and to advance our circularity goals. Just this year at our Baytown, Texas site, we have achieved ISCC PLUS certification and signed a contract for a virtual power purchase agreement from clean energy supplier Ørsted. Our industry peers are working towards similar goals. Collectively, I think we are showing tangible progress and are striking the balance we need to achieve the sustainable future we are all striving for.”