Packaging protects and preserves products and ensures that they arrive in perfect condition. But producing packaging also consumes resources and disposing of it results in a large amount of waste, especially in the growing online trade. This is an economic and an environmental burden. Packaging and packaging waste are high on the political agenda in the EU and in some EU Members States both through the implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme. Customers are also demanding better, greener packaging alternatives.
Some companies are responding to this challenge by developing sustainable packaging strategies. These address key issues and practices including how to reduce packaging weight/volume, making it easier to refill, reuse and recylce packaging, and using certified and recycled materials in packaging.
Some overarching principles that can be applied to packaging procurement or design to improve sustainability include:
WRAP (2010), Methodology for assessing the climate change impacts of packaging optimisation under the Courtauld Commitment Phase 2, Final Report
Jorgelina Pasqualino, Montse Meneses, Francesc Castells (2011), The carbon footprint and energy consumption of beverage packaging selection and disposal, Journal of Food Engineering 103 (2011), pp357-365
Europen, The European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment, http://www.europen-packaging.eu/
IPPC Brief on Waste Treatments Industry, http://eippcb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/reference/BREF/wt_bref_0806.pdf
IPPC Brief on Waste Incineration, http://eippcb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/reference/BREF/wi_bref_0806.pdf
Kennisinstituut Duurzaam Verpakken, www.kidv.nl
European Commission, Packaging and Packaging Waste, http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/packaging/index_en.htm