Helsinki (News release) -- UPM Raflatac and WWF Poland have renewed their contract to build a smarter future beyond fossils together. During the new three-year contract period the collaboration will focus on enabling the development of circular economy and promoting privately protected areas, especially wetlands in Poland. The three-year contract will also involve UPM Raflatac's internal and external stakeholders to increase engagement and support for these two important initiatives given the challenges we are facing today.

"As part of the packaging value chain, we are constantly looking for ways to promote circular economy not only through our product and service offering, but also through collaboration. We are also committed to climate-positive forestry and enhancing biodiversity as well as sharing our expertise and assets with the communities in which we operate," says Vera Bartsch, Director of Sustainability Development, UPM Raflatac.

The aim of the Circular Economy project is to reduce the amount of packaging waste entering the environment by managing it according to circular economy principles. The joint initiative will focus on raising awareness of how nature-based solutions support the circular economy and how to reduce plastic pollution in Poland. With UPM Raflatac's support, WWF Poland also aims to further develop the network of privately protected areas in Poland, both by purchasing new areas and by implementing further conservation measures on these areas, including mowing, animal grazing, scrub clearance and interventions in the water regime.

"The circular economy plays a critical role in reducing waste and protecting natural resources. Privately protected areas, such as wetlands, are crucial for preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystems. With UPM Raflatac's help, we can address nature-related challenges and promote sustainable development in Poland. We have been successfully working together to protect nature for 12 years," says Barbara Skuła-Dąbek, Director of Strategic Partnerships Department, WWF Poland.

UPM Raflatac operates two factories in Biskupice Podgórne and Nowa Wieś Wrocławska, Poland employing 600 employees. The collaboration between UPM Raflatac and WWF Poland started in 2012 with a project called "Rivers for life" which focused on protecting rivers' biodiversity in Poland. The partnership continued with the development of the program "River Guardians" and in the past contract periods, circular economy and privately protected areas became stronger focus areas in the collaboration.