WESTMINSTER, Colo.,
Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball
Corporation (NYSE: BLL) today announced plans to create
Brazil's first circular economy
lab in Fernando de Noronha, one of
the country's most popular tourist destinations and a leader on
sustainable tourism. Named the VADELATA for the Planet Lab, the
project will create a model circular economy within the island by
centralizing the collection and recycling of aluminum cans.
The new, state-of-the-art facility officially broke ground for
construction today in Noronha with plans to open in 2022. In
addition to recycling close to 100,000 pounds of aluminum in its
first year alone, the lab will serve as a hub for residents and
tourists to learn more about how to advance sustainability in their
own communities.
"As part of the company's recently announced 2030 sustainability
goals and industry vision for circularity, the innovative VADELATA
for the Planet Lab will demonstrate what's possible when we invest
in and prioritize aluminum recycling," said Fauze Villatoro,
Commercial and Sustainability Vice President, Ball Corporation
South America. "The resources within this lab will allow us to
create a circular economy that will make a difference in the lives
of residents and tourists in Brazil and contribute to a more sustainable
planet. By building a more innovative and effective way to collect
beverage aluminum cans and educating consumers about the importance
of recycling, we can help solve the packaging waste crisis."
Ball is committed to using its resources and expertise to help
the packaging industry move toward a truly circular economy – where
materials can be, and actually are, used again and again. Ball
recently announced 2030 sustainability goals focused on
enhancing product stewardship and social impact to create value for
stakeholders, together with a vision for how industry partners
can collaborate to achieve a fully circular aluminum beverage
packaging system. The VADELATA for the Planet Lab will support
these commitments by helping to improve recycling rates and
innovating collection systems that engages the consumer on the
process, hopefully creating a model that others can reference
around the globe.
The 4,300 square-foot facility will feature four main areas:
aluminum can drop-off, preprocessing of aluminum cans, conference
rooms for lectures and courses, and exhibition space. When cans
arrive at the lab, they'll be cleaned and pressed before being
transported to a nearby Ball manufacturing plant and recycling
center to be turned into new coils for cans. All profits from can
scrap sales will be used to pay for the can collection itself and
for social and educational projects for the island community. The
lab will engage with students and local restaurants to further
drive awareness and education about recycling and will also serve
as a basis for demonstrating new technologies that support the
transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
Fernando de Noronha was the first
Brazilian territory to ban single-use plastics and has been working
on the implementation of the Noronha Carbon Neutral Program.
"This partnership with Ball is an important step to our great
sustainability vision for the island," said Guilherme Rocha, Fernando de Noronha Mayor. "By hosting the first
circular economy laboratory in Brazil, Noronha reaffirms its commitment to
the environment, a priority of the State Government. The lab brings
a concept that needs to be increasingly disseminated across the
country and around the world, combining care for the environment
and income generation for the local economy."
Ball is partnering with the Fernando de Noronha Municipality and
Noronha for the Planet Consortium on this project, which is
co-sponsored by Novelis, AMA, and Minalba.
About Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation supplies
innovative, sustainable aluminum packaging solutions for beverage,
personal care and household products customers, as well as
aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the
U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ
21,500 people worldwide and reported 2020 net sales of $11.8
billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect
with us on Facebook or Twitter.
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SOURCE Ball Corporation
