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Towards a circular packaging industry

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12 Jan, 2024

This post was originally published on Sustainability Matters

While the legislative process got underway in 2023, it is uncertain whether the subsequent trilogue process, in which the European Council, Parliament and Commission must find a final compromise, will be completed before the next European elections in June 2024. In pursuing this legislative update, the European Commission aims to achieve three main goals.

The first is to prevent packaging waste from being created in the first place by placing restrictions on unnecessary packaging and favouring reusable and refillable solutions. The second is for a closed recycling loop to ensure that all packaging on the EU market is reusable or recyclable in a commercially viable manner by 2030. Thirdly, the Commission wants to reduce the demand for primary raw materials by creating a functioning market for secondary raw materials — to this end, it will set compulsory targets to increase the amount of recycled plastics in packaging materials.

Industry takes action

While the ambitiousness of the PPWR might have caused debate within the packaging industry, there are many associations and businesses in the field that are pursuing their own innovative developments to further the creation of a circular economy. This was apparent at the 2023 interpack expo, whose theme of a circular economy drew a large number of exhibitors focused on solutions for effective recycling and the use of recycled materials in packaging production.

Recently, the association of European plastics producers, Plastics Europe, released an action plan for plastics production without fossil resources. While it may not be possible to eliminate the use of these materials entirely, the so-called Plastics Transition Roadmap shows how 65% of fossil resources in plastics production can be replaced by circular feedstocks from biomass, recycled materials and carbon capture by 2050.

“The Plastics Transition Roadmap, which we developed together with Deloitte, shows how we can reduce CO2 emissions in the plastics value chain by 28% by 2030 and transform the industry into an ecofriendly circular economy by 2050,” said Ingemar Bühler, Managing Director of Plastics Europe Germany.

“With the support of the German Government and the European Commission, European plastics manufacturers could increase the share of circular feedstocks in plastics production to 25% by 2030 and 65% by 2050.”

Reducing plastic usage wherever possible

interpack exhibitor Greiner Packaging is working to cut down on plastics through its K3 packaging solutions (cardboard-plastic combinations). With its latest development, the K3 r100 cup, the cup’s cardboard wrap separates itself from the unprinted plastic cup on its own during the waste collection process, making it possible to recycle both materials. Additionally, the company’s thermoformed cups are already labelled in the mould using the in-mould labelling (IML) process and weigh about 25% less than an injection-moulded equivalent.

Plastics manufacturers such as Joma from Austria are also increasingly developing recyclable solutions, such as a spice grinder showcased at interpack from Joma’s re:cycle range, which is made of 100% recycled PET. rPET is currently the only plastic with a certified circular economy that is approved for direct contact with food.

Cardboard packaging with barrier properties and without aluminium

The trend towards circular solutions applies to other packaging materials too. Drinks cartons are one example: Swiss manufacturer SIG has developed a full-barrier packaging material for aseptic carton packaging solutions that does not require an aluminium layer.

The new material, called SIG Terra Alu-free + Full Barrier, can also be used for oxygen-sensitive products such as juices thanks to the full-barrier protection. It has netted the company a design for circularity award from 4evergreen, an association of over 100 manufacturers, designers, brand owners, researchers and recyclers.

Driven by the belief that packaging recyclability begins with good design, 4evergreen published the second edition of its Circularity by Design Guidelines in the European summer of 2023. These featured new guidance for sustainable beverage packaging design.

Categorising materials through state-of-the-art tech

Where did the raw materials used in packaging come from? When and where were they processed, and what exactly were they processed into? Shampoo bottles, cereal liners and other packaging solutions often have a complex structure consisting of different materials.

In order to recycle effectively, businesses need transparency about the type, origin and processing of the raw materials used, but at present there is no standardised recording or structured supply of information about recycling in plastics production processes. To make this easier going forward, GS1 Germany has joined forces with stakeholders from the plastics industry to develop the Circular Plastics Traceability guidelines for standardised collection and structured sharing of data relevant to recycling. A common data framework now enables all partners involved to share consistent data with each other and to trace back the journey of each plastic through the loop system.

“At R-Cycle, as a development partner and user of the new GS1 Germany guidelines, we offer a standardised IT infrastructure for data sharing and transparency throughout the life cycle of plastics. The data is saved automatically in line with the Circular Plastics Traceability guidelines and can be shared with all parties along the value chain,” said Benedikt Brenken, Director of R-Cycle.

Additionally, German company Polysecure has developed Sort4Circle, a new sorting technology that separates different types of packaging containing polyethylene (food, cosmetic, detergent, monolayer, multilayer, etc) in line with relevant specifications.

Making film from seaweed

A host of research projects are exploring possible applications for renewable raw materials. This includes German company Brabender, which together with Dresden University of Technology is using marine algae to produce biodegradable film that simply dissolves after use.

“At [the 2023] interpack, we exhibited the conversion process from seaweed to finished packaging. Seaweed can be used, for example, to create film for packaging laundry capsules or dishwasher tablets,” said Ludwig Schmidtchen, head of the seaweed polymer project at Brabender.

As well as being water-soluble and suitable for injection moulding, the material can also be shaped as desired and is suitable for the production of sealable films. Brabender’s ‘Carraphane’ is an example of the circular economy in action. According to the company, it is produced from seaweed without waste and with minimal resource usage before being put through an extrusion process.

The film produced in this manner contains all the nutrients that are also present in the initial plant. The films biodegrade after a short time, with all the constituent components returning to nature. The seaweed material also has a significantly smaller environmental footprint than conventional plastics and bioplastics made from other renewable feedstocks.

Image credit: iStock.com/Nikita Burdenkov

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Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks has become essential as businesses increasingly prioritise sustainability. IT operations contribute significantly to carbon emissions, energy consumption and electronic waste (e-waste). Organisations that embed environmental responsibility into their IT governance can reduce their ecological footprint, improve operational efficiency and strengthen their brand reputation.

Erica Smith, chief alliance officer and environmental, social and governance lead, Blue Connections IT, said, “Environmental stewardship supports financial performance, risk mitigation and brand differentiation. With rising energy costs, increased consumer demand for sustainable products and services, and growing pressure from investors and regulators, companies can no longer afford to overlook their environmental responsibilities.

“Poor sustainability practices in IT can lead to high operational costs, supply chain risks and reputational damage. Conversely, a proactive approach improves efficiency, attracts environmentally conscious customers and helps future-proof businesses against evolving policy and regulatory changes.

“Integrating environmental responsibility into IT governance integrates sustainability initiatives into decision-making systematically. Organisations can reduce waste, lower energy consumption and extend the lifecycle of technology assets while positioning themselves as responsible leaders in an increasingly climate-aware market.”

There are four key areas that present opportunities to embed environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks.

1. Device lifecycle management

A structured approach to managing the lifecycle of IT assets ensures devices are deployed efficiently, maintained properly and retired responsibly at the end of their useful life. Embracing a circular economy model, where equipment is refurbished, reused or ethically recycled, can significantly reduce e-waste and resource use. Companies that adopt this approach lower their environmental impact and unlock financial value by extending the lifecycle of IT assets.

Smith said, “Effective asset recovery strategies further support sustainability efforts. Integrating secure data erasure and refurbishment into IT governance policies lets businesses repurpose functional devices within the organisation or resell them to external buyers. Responsible e-waste recycling also supports companies to process materials ethically in instances where resale is not viable, reducing landfill contributions and preventing environmental contamination. The adoption of industry-certified data sanitisation methods also safeguards compliance with security and privacy regulations.”

2. Sustainable procurement

IT governance frameworks should prioritise the selection of technology vendors and partners committed to sustainable manufacturing, responsible sourcing and energy-efficient product design. This includes favouring IT hardware with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials and using minimal packaging. Additionally, employing Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) models optimises IT asset utilisation while reducing upfront investment and unnecessary hardware purchases.

Partnerships with sustainability-driven IT service providers can further enhance an organisation’s environmental impact. Working with partners that offer end-to-end IT asset management solutions, encompassing secure device deployment, certified data sanitisation and ethical recycling, simplifies the process of aligning IT operations with sustainability goals. Companies that prioritise environmental stewardship in their IT governance framework gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to responsible business practices.

3. Energy consumption

Data centres, cloud services and enterprise networks require substantial energy resources, making green IT practices essential. IT governance frameworks should include policies to reduce consumption by optimising server efficiency, reducing redundant infrastructure and using renewable energy sources. Cloud providers with strong sustainability credentials can support carbon reduction initiatives, while virtualisation strategies can consolidate workloads and improve overall energy efficiency.

4. Employee engagement

Educating staff on sustainable IT practices, such as energy-efficient device usage and responsible e-waste disposal, creates a culture of accountability. Organisations that implement green workplace initiatives, such as responsible end-of-life disposal programs, reinforce their commitment to sustainability at all levels.

“IT governance must also align with corporate environmental, social and governance commitments. Companies can contribute to broader sustainability objectives by embedding environmental stewardship into IT policies, such as net-zero emissions targets and responsible supply chain management. Clear reporting mechanisms and regular sustainability audits aid transparency, letting businesses track their progress and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders,” Smith said.

Government regulations and evolving industry standards are increasingly shaping the sustainability expectations for organisations. Aligning IT governance frameworks with best practices for environmental stewardship keeps companies ahead of regulatory requirements. Proactive adoption of sustainable IT practices positions businesses as industry leaders in environmental responsibility.

Smith said, “Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks is not just about meeting compliance obligations; it’s about futureproofing company operations and prioritising the broader environment. Taking a proactive approach to sustainability lets organisations drive efficiency, reduce long-term costs and contribute to a healthier planet. Businesses that lead in sustainable IT governance will be well-positioned for long-term success as environmental concerns continue to shape consumer and corporate priorities.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Petmal

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