Sustainable packaging Gaelle Janssens Prevention & R&D Manager
Agenda Fost Plus Presentation 1 Sustainable Packaging Definition Food waste Ideal packaging Packaging optimization 2 Recycling system 3 Optimization tools Recycling criteria Preventpack Recycling systems Pack4recycling The financial structure pack4ecodesign 4 Trends in packaging Drivers Trends Greenwashing
Fost Plus: who, what, why, how
Why: The legal framework in Europe and Belgium Foundation 1994 + 2004 1997-2014 regions European Packaging directive Cooperation Agreements between the three Others 1998 1993 Federal law concerning product standards Federal law concerning ecotaxes
What: recycling and recovery targets European Directive 2004 ICA 2009 Hous. Ind. Fost Plus 2013 results Glass 60% 60% 110,4% Paper-cardboard 60% 60% 101,5% Drinks cartons 60% 89,7% Metal 50% 50% 102,1% Plastics 22,5% 30% 38,1% Wood 15% 15% - Recycling 55 80% 80% 80% 87,5% Valorisation 60% 90% 85% 90,2% Hous. = household packaging Ind. = Industrial packaging
Non-profit organization, founded in 1994 by the private sector, to reach the mandatory targets regarding the household packaging of the enterprises that have chosen to contribute Fully financed by its 5 650 members, or 92% of the Belgian market of household packaging To promote, coordinate and finance the collecting, sorting and recycling of packaging household waste in order to achieve the recycling and valorisation objectives prescribed by the Belgian law
Fost Plus at the heart of the system Parties responsible for packaging (5176) Accreditation Verification IPC (Interregional Packaging Commission) (Inter)municipalities (35) Waste management companies (92) Recyclers (37) 7 Corporate presentation EN - 2014 13.05.2014
Who are responsible for the packaging? The company that packages or has goods packaged in Belgium in order to bring them on the Belgian market When products have not been packaged in Belgium, the party importing the packaged goods The party responsible for packaging may either fullfil its duty itself (by reaching the targets imposed by the law) or conclude an agreement with an accredited body (like Fost Plus)
Money, the crux of the matter Parties responsible for packaging (producers, importers) 62 Mio EUR Provisions Materials 6 Mio EUR Marketing materials for recycling 62 Mio EUR 130 Mio EUR Collection and sorting 98 Mio EUR Other costs* 32 Mio EUR * Communication, control, residue bonus, prevention, general costs, contribution to regions 9 Corporate presentation EN - 2014 13.05.2014
The green dot fee Contribution according to the quantity of packaging put on the market Contribution according to the packaging material Calculation based on the costs of collection, sorting and the recycling rate of the packaging materials Solidarity between materials: the non-recyclable pay more
Symbols The Green Dot logo on packaging means that the company putting that product onto the market contributes to finance selective collection, sorting and recycling of household packaging. It does not mean that the packaging or the product in the packaging is made of recycled material nor that the packaging will be collected and recycled. It is not a sorting instruction.
1. Sustainable packaging or sustainability through packaging?
Some frustrating examples concentrate packaging visibility http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hngh6pypjvy
The old vision «the best packaging is no packaging»
The new vision: the best waste is no waste It s the product that counts! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdtl8v5f77k
The best packaging for the environment is the best for the job Good packaging will never turn a bad product into a good one BUT bad packaging might turn a good product into a bad one
Environmental impact of food Production Energy necessary for the weekly consumption of food (MJ) Packaging Transport packaging Transport from factory Distribution Transport shophome Home storage Home cooking 51% 17% 14% 6,5% 3,5% 3,5% 3% 1,5%
Food waste Food products require much more energy than their packaging In developing countries, food waste hits 25% to 50% before reaching the consumer. Because of bad transport, storage and packaging. In our countries, that figure is reduced to 2% to 3%. But a lot of food is wasted after sales.
Food waste http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgtpkkovoz4
Food waste Packaging has become very technical and plays an important role in the fight against food wastage: It prevents degradation of food due to shock and pathogens
Food waste It presents products in a range of portion sizes
Food waste It extends the life of a product : vacuum packaging, modified atmosphere packaging
Food waste It extends the life of a product : vacuum packaging, modified atmosphere packaging, hermetic seals, resealable packaging
Food waste They are leak-resistant and evolve towards higher efficiency
Food waste It provides information on storage and use conditions (temperature/use-by date)
Food waste
But the fight against food waste does not justify everything
The ideal packaging? The ideal packaging is: Packaging answering the various needs of various products for various consumers As little as possible but above all as necessary Environmental impact Minimum Environmental impact - X% + X% Packaging quantity per weight/volume Underestimated Packaging Overestimated Packaging
Watch out! Always consider packaging together with the product, the consumer and the consumption circumstances As well as primary packaging together with the secondary and tertiary ones
Optimization the legal framework Essential requirements (European directive) Minimum volume and weight that guarantees the safety and the consumer acceptance of the product Limitation of the dangerous components and substances Guarantee of the recyclability, energy recovery, compostability or re-use of packaging
Optimization voluntary approach Optimizing packaging: 6R Remove what s useless Reduce what s not necessary Redesign to optimize the transport, the use, Reuse, especially for industrial packaging Recycle if possible and if not, adapt to the end-of-life Renewable: use renewable energy & material (if relevant)
Packaging optimization Remove what s useless BEFORE AFTER No more cardboard box Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Packaging optimization Remove what s useless No more plastic film Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Packaging optimization Remove what s useless No more cardboard box Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Packaging optimization Reduce what s not necessary Stop transporting water: change the product from a gel to a powder BEFORE AFTER
Packaging optimization Reduce what s not necessary Stop transporting air: put more products in the same packaging
Packaging optimization Reduce what s not necessary Reduce the weight without compromising your product safety -44 %
Packaging optimization Reduce the weight by technological advance -49% packaging
Packaging optimization Reduce the weight by redesigning the packaging -33% packaging By air bubbles (-19% density) in the plastic and wall thickness reduction.
Packaging optimization Reduce the weight by redesigning the packaging BEFORE AFTER -85% packaging
Packaging optimization Reduce the weight by redesigning the product: Shampoo bars
Packaging optimization Reduce the weight by redesigning the product: Compressed and concentrated products
Packaging optimization Reduce volume by folding the product differently
Packaging optimization Rethink the packaging http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded &v=vwrulz8hpki Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Packaging optimization Redesign to adapt to consumption and reduce food waste: lengthen shelf life Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Packaging optimization Redesign to adapt to consumption and reduce food waste: lengthen shelf life Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Packaging optimization Redesign to adapt to consumption and reduce food waste: lengthen shelf life Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Packaging optimization Redesign to adapt to consumption and reduce food waste: portion the consumption Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Packaging optimization Redesign to adapt to consumption and reduce food waste: lengthen shelf life
Packaging optimization Reuse
Packaging optimization Use renewable energy and, if relevant, renewable material Plant HDPE Plant PET
Packaging optimization Use renewable energy and, if relevant, renewable material Plant HDPE
Packaging optimization Use renewable energy and, if relevant, renewable material Paper nut
Packaging optimization Use recycled content
Packaging optimization Adapt packaging to recycling Recycling is only one aspect of eco-design and not always the most important one, but: Important for the industry: - Corporate charter - Image - Legal obligation Important for the consumer: - Environmentally friendly perception - Cheaper for waste collection
2. Recycling systems of packaging Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Recycling systems Criteria to recycle packaging Sustainable recycling demand and infrastructure Sufficient quantities of the material Simple sorting message for the citizens Efficient financial and environmentally friendly system Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Recycling systems Glass Collection Recycling Final products Glass tank Uncolored/colored glass separated ± 1 site/1.000 inhabitans Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Recycling systems Paper-Cardboard Collection Recycling Final products Door-to-door collection 1x/month Or together with PMD in a duo truck, 2x/month Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Recycling systems PMD Plastic Bottles and flasks, Metal packaging and Drink cartons Collection Sorting Recycling Final products Bottles PET Flasks HDPE Door-to-door collection 2x/month Transparent blue bag Steel Aluminum Drink cartons Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Plastic: Why collect and recycle bottles only? Plastic plastic Many different plastics exist with many different physical and chemical properties These differences make their recycling processes incompatible: each plastic corresponds to a well defined flow The quality required for the recycled material depends on its applications Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Plastic: Why collect and recycle bottles only? Bottles have a sustainable recycling outlet because : Homogenous flow (PET and HDPE) Large quantity High quality 95% of the bottles collected are recycled Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Plastic: Why collect and recycle bottles only? Most of the other plastic packaging is spoiled, complex and made from different plastics in small quantities There are few recycling infrastructures for other postconsumer plastics The motivation of citizens would decrease if many sorted packaging plastics were not recycled Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Plastic: Why collect and recycle bottles only? The environmental cost of collecting, sorting and transporting these other plastics is higher than the environmental benefits of recycling what suits the process (including the fact that residual waste is recovered in Belgium) The additional costs would be huge, considering the low quantity of additional actually recycled packaging Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Recycling system The recycling of packaging takes into account the current infrastructure and outlet in Europe. This situation can evolve with technological innovations and the evolution of the recycled materials markets. Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Recycling system Results in Belgium, per year : 680 000 tons recycled 415 000 tons of CO 2 emissions avoided 87% of household packaging recycled Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Recycling system Belgium is recycling champion for packaging in Europe 114,37 116,61 108,11 105,95 116,13 117,56 112,46 107,87 Recycling percentages 2012 in Europe 103,24 99,23 93,39 78,99 67,59 65,40 Emballages : Idées reçues et réalité
Design for recycling Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Design for recycling To optimize the recycling of their packaging, marketing and buying managers should know: The collection system of their packaging The recycling process of their packaging Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Behind the scene of recycling
Tips to optimize the design for recycling of plastic bottles
Design for recycling General tips for sorting Avoid too small packaging (tromel)
Design for recycling General tips for sorting No full body sleeves (IR detection)
PET bottles Principles : Since PET sinks, avoid any components that sink as well but are not compatible with the recycling process of the PET like metals, PVC or other colored plastics (except if easily separated)
PET bottles Principles : Color and haziness are very important for the recycling process: avoid direct or soluble printing, sinking sleeves and some barriers and additives
HDPE bottles Principle : Monomaterial Since HDPE floats, avoid any components that float as well but are not compatible with the recycling process of the HDPE like metal (e.g. closure systems)
3. Optimization tools
www.preventpack.be
Optimize packaging: design for recycling A tool to test the recyclability of your packaging on www.pack4recycling.be
www.pack4recycling.be
Optimize packaging: ecodesign To have an indicative idea of the environmental impact of packaging, to get advice to reduce those impacts and to simulate the application of the impact, visit : www.pack4ecodesign.org
www.pack4ecodesign.org
Communicate on packaging prevention: Greener Packaging Award
Design for recycling Let s take a test!
Design for recycling PET 1,5L PET 0,25L PET 1,5L PET 0,25L PET 1,5L HDPE 1L PET 1L
4. Trends in packaging
Trends in packaging 87
Trends in packaging A Sustainable packaging revolution Demanded by consumers Reduces cost Technological advances - > Lighter, reduced, recyclable and with recycled material, importance of the sourcing
Trends in packaging Biobased materials
Trends in packaging A balance between sustainability and functionality Individual portions Extended shelf-life Health protection User comfort
Trends in packaging Fight against food waste On the agenda of the European Commission The next demographic issue
Trends in packaging Convenient and single portions re-sealable, self- heating, easy-opening,
Trends in packaging Intelligent packaging communicate with the consumer
Trends in packaging Smart packaging extend shelf life
Trends in packaging
Trends in packaging
Trends in packaging
Trends in packaging PERSONALI ZATION
Trends in packaging new materials Bag-in-box
Trends in packaging new materials Recyclable coated paper
Trends in packaging new materials Paper bottles
Trends in packaging new materials Edible packaging
Trends in packaging online shopping Online shopping : impact on packaging Supply chain, product protection & travel conditions are important
Trends in packaging online shopping Demand for simplified versions of packaging
Trends in packaging online shopping More information about the product or how to use it
Trends in packaging online shopping More information about the tracking
Trends in packaging online shopping More information about the product family, as clients don t see them in store anymore
Green washing A lot of packaging claims its sustainability but Is it good for the environment? It often sounds so, but who knows what it is exactly?
Green washing - symbols Material symbol Useful for recyclers too difficult for consumers Recyclable packaging Not to be used because of different collection system in Europe
Definitions Biopackaging: what is it? a very confusing concept Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Biopackaging for the people A packaging good for the environment (33% of the consumers*) * Survey Fost Plus 2007 - Belgium Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Biopackaging - Definitions Made from renewable ressources Home compostable Industrial compostable Oxodegradable Issues Not all are compostable Might contain a % of fossil resource No existing standard No link with the end of life Issues Made from fossil or renewable resources Not a common habit in Europe No CEN standard (existing certification) Confusion with the existing logo Issues Made from fossil or renewable resources Existing CEN standard and certification Compostability interesting in some applications (agricultural film, catering packaging,...) Confusion with the existing logo Issues Made from PE with additives Degradable with UV & light (not biodegradable) encourages litter Danger for marine life & human health Not degradable in landfills Greenwashing marketing To be avoided Biodegradable term might cause littering problem Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Biopackaging End of life issue If it s compostable, let s compost it! Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Industrial end-of-life of biopackaging Scenario 1 Selective collection with packaging Scenario 2 Residual waste Scenario 3 Organic selective collection Sorting centrum Energy recovery Landfill Gasification / compost Positif sorting of biopackaging Energy recovery Landfill Mechanical recycling gasification/ compost Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Industrial end-of-life of biopackaging Scenario 1 Selective collection of packaging Scenario 2 Residual waste Scenario 3 Organic bins Lightweight packaging sorting plant Anaerobic digestion / composting Positive sorting of compostable and on-compostable bioplastics Landfill (less preferred option) Incineration Incineration Positive sorting of compostable and non-compostable bioplastics Landfill (less preferred option) Material recycling Issues No manual sorting for PLA No material detection for blends Sustainable recycling infrastructure & outlet needed Enough quantity & quality Risk of contamination of recycling process Anaerobic digestion / composting Issues Composting is less sustainable than anaerobic digestion or incineration with energy recovery New facilities needed for industrial gasification / composting More costs in LW packaging sorting plants Energy recovery if possible Same rationale that in scenario 1 Issues Composting is less sustainable than incineration with energy recovery Very few existing anaerobic digestion facilities No existing collection system for packaging Quality of compost (value on the market) because of sorting mistakes Adaptation of existing infrastructures Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Biopackaging - conclusions Avoid communication on a green advantage if it is not proven For biopackaging, avoid communicating on Compostability if No real advantage to be composted (ok for green collection bags, agricultural film, ) as energy recovery is better Not home compostable (may stay for ever in the consumer s garden) No collection permitted Renewable resources if Large part is fossil resource Controversial origin (food, GMO, ) Emballages: Idées reçues et réalité
Conclusions Always consider the couple product/packaging Recycling is not an Olympic discipline Go for innovation, avoid greenwashing
Thank you! www.fostplus.be www.pack4recycling.be www.pack4ecodesign.org www.preventpack.be www.packstory.org