Danone's initiative to offset its plastic footprint in Indonesia has hit a roadblock following allegations
Source: The DairyNews
Danone's initiative to offset its plastic footprint in Indonesia has hit a roadblock following allegations of community disruption and environmental concerns.
The project, which aimed to mitigate Danone's plastic impact by recovering more plastic than it used, faced suspension after complaints emerged regarding a recycling facility built without proper consultation and in violation of housing regulations.
The plastic offsetting endeavor, a novel concept akin to carbon offsetting, sought to address the environmental harm caused by single-use plastics by funding recycling and waste management schemes. However, the project's credibility came into question when it was revealed that the Samtaku Jimbaran facility in Bali, a key component of Danone's offsetting strategy, was situated dangerously close to residential areas, leading to health issues and environmental degradation.
Despite Danone's efforts to address concerns and uphold standards, including initial funding for waste segregation and community education, the project faced significant setbacks. Complaints lodged with Verra, the overseeing body, prompted a suspension of accreditation, casting doubt on the effectiveness and ethical implications of plastic offsetting initiatives.
The challenges faced by Danone's project underscore broader skepticism surrounding plastic offsetting as a viable solution to plastic pollution. Critics argue that such endeavors merely offer a superficial solution, allowing companies to evade responsibility for reducing plastic production and consumption at the source.
Verra has been making the case for its plastic credits programme to delegates at the UN’s global plastic treaty, which has just entered its fourth round of negotiations this week in Ottawa, Canada. The UN aims to reach a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution by the end of the year.
But Indonesian campaigners said projects like Danone’s showed that offsetting was just a wasteful attempt by companies to avoid tackling the root causes of plastic pollution, documents seen by Unearthed show.
“Plastic offsetting is money down the drain – at least in the way it is being done now,” said Tiza Mafira, co-founder of the Indonesian campaign group Plastic Diet Movement and a director at the Climate Policy Initiative.
“This project is an example of that. In Indonesia, and around the world, companies are investing in removing plastic from the environment rather than trying to avoid producing it in the first place.”
A Danone spokesperson said the company was continuing to work in Indonesia to reduce the use of plastic, improve recycling, and remove waste from the environment.
She told Unearthed in February that the Bali facility was owned by PT Reciki Mantap Jaya, a “subsidiary” of the Indonesian waste management company Reciki Solusi Indonesia, but Danone had provided initial funding for its waste segregation system and community education.
The plastic offsetting endeavor, a novel concept akin to carbon offsetting, sought to address the environmental harm caused by single-use plastics by funding recycling and waste management schemes. However, the project's credibility came into question when it was revealed that the Samtaku Jimbaran facility in Bali, a key component of Danone's offsetting strategy, was situated dangerously close to residential areas, leading to health issues and environmental degradation.
Despite Danone's efforts to address concerns and uphold standards, including initial funding for waste segregation and community education, the project faced significant setbacks. Complaints lodged with Verra, the overseeing body, prompted a suspension of accreditation, casting doubt on the effectiveness and ethical implications of plastic offsetting initiatives.
The challenges faced by Danone's project underscore broader skepticism surrounding plastic offsetting as a viable solution to plastic pollution. Critics argue that such endeavors merely offer a superficial solution, allowing companies to evade responsibility for reducing plastic production and consumption at the source.
Verra has been making the case for its plastic credits programme to delegates at the UN’s global plastic treaty, which has just entered its fourth round of negotiations this week in Ottawa, Canada. The UN aims to reach a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution by the end of the year.
But Indonesian campaigners said projects like Danone’s showed that offsetting was just a wasteful attempt by companies to avoid tackling the root causes of plastic pollution, documents seen by Unearthed show.
“Plastic offsetting is money down the drain – at least in the way it is being done now,” said Tiza Mafira, co-founder of the Indonesian campaign group Plastic Diet Movement and a director at the Climate Policy Initiative.
“This project is an example of that. In Indonesia, and around the world, companies are investing in removing plastic from the environment rather than trying to avoid producing it in the first place.”
A Danone spokesperson said the company was continuing to work in Indonesia to reduce the use of plastic, improve recycling, and remove waste from the environment.
She told Unearthed in February that the Bali facility was owned by PT Reciki Mantap Jaya, a “subsidiary” of the Indonesian waste management company Reciki Solusi Indonesia, but Danone had provided initial funding for its waste segregation system and community education.
23.09.2024
Carbon emissions in global milk production - the elephant in the room
I have been thinking to make this post yes/ no. I decided for yes and like to ask everyone to not "shoot the messenger". The chart shows an analysis of IFCN Dairy Research Network from the 2024 supporter conference in Poland.
