HK NORWAY PART OF THE FRONT LINE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST PLASTIC POLLUTION

Photo: Jo Randen/KLD

At a time when environmental challenges require immediate action, Handel og Kontor i Norge (HK Norway) has taken an important step by entering into a partnership with the Ministry of Climate and the Environment and key players in the business world. Formalized on April 2, 2024, this alliance aims to cut down on the use of single-use plastics, with a particular focus on packaging on the go products.

Lena Reitan, deputy chair of HK Norway, was present to confirm HK Norway’s commitment to the agreement. In clear words, Reitan illustrated the importance of the partnership:

— The purpose of the partnership is to find good alternatives to single-use plastic in on-the-go products, for example for storing food and drink, and to prevent plastic from ending up as waste in nature.

She further highlighted the environmental challenges the world is facing and HK Norway’s role in combating these:

— Loss of natural diversity and man-made climate change are the two biggest environmental problems facing the world. HK Norway will work for good societies without ever-increasing environmentally harmful consumption.

Reitan also pointed out the central role of working life in the environmental fight and HK Norway’s strategy to accelerate efforts through cooperation between parties.

— When we know that as much as 80% of the world’s emissions come from a work process, it goes without saying that the parties in working life have an important role in bringing about changesshe said.

She added that it is those with purchasing power and manufacturers of packaging who must take the greatest responsibility for driving the change.

Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, who hosted the entire signing ceremony, also expressed his commitment to the entire initiative:

— Plastic littering and plastic pollution are among the world’s biggest environmental problems, and there is an urgent need to reduce consumption. Through the partnership with business, we will work together to find good substitutes for single-use plastics.

Read the full story from the Ministry of Climate and the Environment HERE

The agreement, which is in line with the UN’s sustainability goals and the EU’s directive on plastic products, is an important part of Norway’s environmental efforts. HK Norway’s involvement in this partnership underlines the organisation’s leading role in the green transition in Norway.

— This is just the start of something big. Underlined Reitan, and signaled HK Norway’s commitment to continue working for a more sustainable future.