Clearwater Paper and CNG integrate chemically recycled PE in tissue packaging

21 Nov 2023 --- Clearwater Paper is partnering with Charter Next Generation (CNG) for an early-to-market initiative to include advanced recycled PE in Clearwater Paper’s private label tissue packaging offerings.

Advanced recycling includes difficult-to-recycle waste plastics converted into new plastics that perform like virgin materials. The material purchase in place of traditional resins helps to give new life to plastics that would otherwise be landfilled. 

“CNG is providing a competitive edge and is leading the way in transforming waste plastics into useful products. This advancement is critical to our success in meeting and exceeding sustainability goals for Clearwater Paper,” says Mike Urlick, senior vice president and general manager for Consumer Products at Clearwater Paper. 

Circularity boost
Consumers care about the environment and want to know about the environmental attributes of the products they purchase, including the packaging, asserts Clearwater Paper. 

Clearwater Paper and CNG respond to consumer demand for sustainable packaging.The two companies have earned International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus certifications to ensure the proper chain of custody and tracking of material through the mass balance approach.

“Clearwater Paper supports the principles of a circular economy and has a strong legacy of prioritizing the sustainability of the products we make. [The company] is committed to responsible sourcing and to partnering with innovative suppliers like CNG who are aligned with our core values,” says Traci Greco, purchasing manager at Clearwater Paper. 

Advanced recycling against landfilling 
Heidi Moilanen, Clearwater Paper’s senior product development manager, adds that the company considers itself responsible for practicing resource stewardship while producing high-quality products for its customers. “We are continuously exploring innovative methods and materials to decrease landfill waste disposal.” 

“This collaboration allows us to take advantage of the new materials made possible by the development of advanced recycling in support of circular economy principles.” 

Beyond Plastics and IPEN (the International Pollutants Elimination Network) recently released a report suggesting that chemical recycling is “more of a marketing and lobbying tactic by the petrochemical industry than an effective solution to the problem of plastic waste.”

The report argues that chemical recycling does not reduce global plastic pollution and may even support expanding plastic production.

By Natalie Schwertheim