UPM Annual Report 2021

RESPONSIBILITY

UPM

BEYOND FOSSILS

STRATEGY

BUSINESSES

GOVERNANCE

ACCOUNTS FOR 2021

ACTIONS FOR ENVIRONMENT

CIRCULAR BIOECONOMY AT UPM

Our goal is to minimise waste, maximise the use of side streams and create added value through smart solutions. We are constantly looking for partners to co-create circular in novations linked to side stream use, product development and supply chain efficiency. In response to climate change, we are actively developing new solutions to accel erate the transition to a circular bioecon omy and aim to continuously reduce our environmental impact. Our new sustainable product design concept includes circularity aspects throughout the product lifecycle (page 87). Our environmental 2030 targets ensure resource efficiency and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our circularity targets By 2030, we will not deposit any process waste at landfill sites, and no process waste will be incinerated without recovering the energy. On average in 2021, 89% (89%) of our process waste was recycled or recovered, of which 21% is energy recovery. 59% (57%) of our production sites use 100% of process waste already today. The total amount of

IMPACT • Resource efficiency and circular bioecono my respond to resource scarcity, contribute to climate change mitigation and provide new sustainable solutions for customers and consumers TARGETS • Efficient use of all material streams and the implementation of a circular bioeconomy; reduce, reuse and recycle

OUR WAY • Circularity as part of our Sustainable Product Design concept • Circular use of materials, nutrients and water • Use of residues, side streams and recovered materials • Cross-industry and cross-business collaboration • Focus on 2030 responsibility targets

We are using materials, energy and water efficiently, and many of our products are made from side streams, residues or recovered materials.

stream originating from pulp production and one of our most challenging residues to use. We are putting a lot of emphasis on developing ways to find sustainable use for it (page 91). Our other circularity target is the use of 100% nutrients from recycled sources in our effluent treatment by 2030. In 2021, 35% (28%) was achieved (page 96).

waste to landfills decreased by 3% compared to 2020. This was partly due to the sale of UPM Shotton and partly due to improved recovery and recycling at production sites. We share best practices, research results and ideas throughout the company, and have several internal working groups focusing on the use and valorisation of side streams. Green liquor dregs is a side

CASE 4EVERGREEN PROMOTES THE RECY CLING OF FIBRE-BASED PACKAGING The 4evergreen alliance involves nearly 90 dif ferent companies: pulp, paper and board manu facturers, packaging producers and converters, waste management companies, brand owners, recyclers, and retailers, including global brands such as Ikea, L’Oréal, Kellogg’s and Nestlé. The alliance aims to achieve a 90% recycling rate of fibre-based packaging by 2030 throughout Europe. Member companies share best practices and jointly boost innovation, such as new kind of recycling technology. As a material supplier, UPM has been actively involved with the workstreams.

CASE

RECYCLING BUDDIES TO THE RESCUE

By collaborating we can achieve goals that no company would be able to reach on its own. The packaging material must be designed for the existing recycling streams. Therefore, it is im portant to test the components in the packaging. The factors preventing recycling in the packaging and those increasing recycling are analysed. Information is also gathered on how packaging is collected from the end users and how that loop works in different countries. The alliance also addresses regulatory challenges as well as the adaptation of different packaging solutions to current recycling loop. The circularity-by-design guidelines help us design just the right kind of new materials for consumers.

of Finland, is designed to both educate and awak en interest in the circular economy. The book was distributed free of charge, and it has been a major success. The first 60,000 copies were distributed within four days, leading to a decision to make an additional 30,000 copies. The book was a joint effort by UPM, Arla Finland and grocery retailer K Group, and the material was produced by Sanoma Pro. The survey Arla and UPM conducted indicated that almost every third Finnish family recycled more if their children were interested in recycling. Also, over 90% of respondents thought that com panies should encourage consumers in recycling and provide information on the recyclability of

When it comes to protecting our environment, is there such a thing as starting too early? The 32 page Recycling Buddies activity book contains a variety of creative tasks for preschoolers in Finland, and the accompanying teacher’s material provides practical tips for the classroom. While the school curriculum in Finland includes themes such as circular economy and recycling, research showed that preschoolers and preschool teachers were lacking proper materials to address these themes. The book, developed according to the principles of the national board of education

product packaging. The project was a unique opportunity for the three companies to share knowledge and work towards a common goal.

www.4evergreenforum.eu

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UPM ANNUAL REPORT 2021

UPM ANNUAL REPORT 2021