Founded on the groundwork laid by the Circle Coalition, CPA emerged in early 2023 with a mission to revolutionize the packaging value chain. Reflecting on their inaugural year, Sarma expressed pride in CPA’s theme for this year’s annual report, “Together Towards Tomorrow,” emphasizing its role in uniting diverse voices for sustainable packaging practices.
“This theme embodies our collective effort—a harmonious symphony of voices from manufacturers to environmental advocates,” Sarma remarked. “It marks the beginning of an ambitious journey deeply rooted in sustainable practices and driven by ceaseless innovation in circular packaging.”
The CPA’s inaugural year saw significant growth with the addition of over eight new member companies, including global leaders such as Al Bayader International, Chalhoub Group, and Mars. The association’s launch event at the Dubai Chambers set the tone, featuring a CEO Roundtable and discussions on crucial Circular Economy initiatives with government officials and industry leaders.
Sarma highlighted CPA’s proactive role in advocating for sustainable packaging regulations and its collaboration with organizations like the League of Arab States at COP28, aimed at fostering a unified approach to Circular Economy initiatives.
“Our path forward involves not only envisioning a sustainable future for packaging but actively bringing it to life. Let’s advance together, ‘Together Towards Tomorrow,’ with collaboration and innovation leading the way.” – Sarma
Looking ahead, Sara Jackson, CPA’s Technical Director, outlined their strategic priorities for the upcoming year, underscoring a commitment to advocacy, regulatory alignment, and fostering partnerships across the packaging value chain.
“As we advance,” Jackson noted, “CPA remains dedicated to driving positive change and sustainability within the packaging industry. Our upcoming work plan focuses on actionable initiatives to achieve meaningful impact, including advocacy for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and sustainable single-use plastic bans.”
Jackson emphasized the CPA’s role in shaping policy recommendations through active participation in the Circular Economy Council’s Policy Committee and harmonizing packaging regulations across jurisdictions.
“Communication is crucial,” Jackson added, “as we strive to build awareness and recognition of CPA’s leadership in sustainable packaging practices.
Strengthening our organizational foundation and expanding our membership base will further drive our collective progress towards a more sustainable future.”
In closing, Jackson expressed optimism: “As we embark on this journey of innovation and sustainability, we look forward to collaborating with our members, partners, and stakeholders. Together, we have the opportunity to shape a more responsible and sustainable future for the packaging industry and beyond.”
Government Relations and Advocacy:
Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE):
Circular Economy Landscape Report: Initiated a UAE-wide assessment, released at COP28, guiding regional strategies.
Changemakers Majlis: Active participation in sessions in Sharjah and Ajman.
Waste Management Policy Consultation: Contributed expertise to refine 19 initiatives.
EPR Stakeholder Engagement: Advanced UAE’s EPR framework in a workshop on December 19th.
Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MOIAT):
Collaboration on Recycled Content Standards: Engaged in consultation and contributed data for Ministerial Decree 105/2022.
Ministry of Economy:
Circular Economy Council Policy Committee: Active contribution to policy frameworks and initiatives.
Consultation on CE Digital Hub: Provided feedback to foster innovation and collaboration.
Dubai Chambers:
Sustainable Packaging Guidelines: Played a pivotal role in developing guidelines to mitigate plastic waste.
Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW):
Engaged in discussions to enhance plastics collection and recovery in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
CPA Events Participation:
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week: Presentation by Priya Sarma at the opening event.
Plastic Recycling Summit: Participation by CPA members to advance recycling initiatives
Prime Packaging Summit: Hosted by Packaging MEA, featuring a keynote address by Priya Sarma and panel discussions on circularity and women leaders in packaging.
By celebrating its inaugural year, the CPA has laid a robust foundation for sustainable packaging practices in the Middle East. The journey ahead, marked by collaboration, innovation, and relentless advocacy, promises a transformative impact on the packaging industry.