EnvironmentallyResponsiblePackaging: the NewNorm for aSustainable World

13/06/2024

5mn

Resource extraction, carbon footprint, pollution, the complexity of recyclability for some materials… packaging has an important impact on the planet and the carbon balance of companies. Innovations regarding eco-design – supported by new regulations – now make us re-examine their utility and nature to develop new environmentally responsible packagings and reinvent their usage. Jean-Baptiste Tissier, CSR instructor certified by the Afnor, encourages us to rethink the notions of packaging functionality in order to make the most appropriate and responsible choices.

When consuming a product, we’ve all already noticed that its packaging was sometimes too big, too thick, or that it was simply overpackaged or contained excessive accessories. Whether it is made of paper, cardboard, glass or plastic, packaging can be dispensable – or even completely useless. Useless is the exact term the French legislator chose as part of the Agec Law to describe a packaging that doesn’t meet its essential technical functions, which are: health protection, product integrity, transport, and being a medium for regulatory information.

“For example, a yogurt cup clearly plays a sanitary health function,” details Jean-Baptiste Tessier who assists companies in their environmental transformation.

“The packaging of a pre-cut pineapple – therefore a processed food – isn’t as straightforward and forces us to redefine the way we consume products.” The AGEC law – standing for anti-waste for a circular economy – precisely targets this type of single-use packaging made of disposable plastic, which does not directly meet the utility criteria under the law. As of January 1, 2023, their usage has been banned in France for fast foods, mass catering for companies, school canteens and museum cafeterias hosting at least 20 people and will be completely banned by 2040. But the law applies further than the catering sector.

The Driving Role of Regulations to Promote the 3R

“The regulatory framework now compels European consumers – and producers – to rework their practices and usage. What used to be a source of environmental concern has become a lever for action.” The Environmental Code states that “all producers must develop and implement a prevention and eco-design plan that aims to reduce the use of non-renewable resources, to increase the use of recycled materials and increase the recyclability of their products.” The European directive on single-use plastics (SUP) also set a target of a minimum of 25% of recycled material in PET bottles as of 2025, and of 30% of recycled materials in plastic bottles for drinks before 2030 (all resin plastics alike).

And the European PPWR [1] is even more ambitious. Devised to harmonize packaging management at the European level and improve packaging waste management in all member states, this regulation aims at recycling and reduction objectives of 60% in 2025, 70% in 2030, and 80% in 2035.

“The good practices implemented by some consumers and companies are inspiring for all others,” comments Jean-Baptiste Tissier, enthusiastic. “Without the engagement of companies committed to CSR for several years – and still mobilized to meet the regulations of the CSRD –, and the pressure of active consumers, this regulation wouldn’t exist. Legislations help accelerate transformations on a pragmatic, concrete level. Producing less packaging is an opportunity to both meet the environmental aspirations of society and reduce a significant budget line. A double positive impact!” E-commerce retailers are all the more concerned: the PPWR is the first European legislation to regulate packaging for the online commerce sector.

[1] Proposal Packaging and Packaging Waste regulation

Bio-sourced Plastic Packaging for a Lower Environmental Impact

In 30 years, the weight of plastic packagings has been drastically cut down: -50% for water bottles, -13% for laundry detergent containers, and respectively -22% and -12% for butter and meat packagings [2]. But the complexity of their composition can make them difficult to recycle. If new sectors are now emerging in France to offer recycling solutions for all packaging, down to the most complex ones, new plastic resins that have a significantly lower environmental impact than traditional resins also exist. We are already familiar with the ones made out of cane sugar or starch. But innovations are multiplying and plastics made of algae, green waste, CO2 or even methane are winning over industrials.

Eco-designed Packaging: Good Practices to Find the “Right Packaging”

Some companies didn’t wait for the PPWR to tackle packaging reduction. The more visible actions are reducing the empty space in packaging, removing the grouping packaging (for yogurt pots, for instance) or encouraging to reuse the packaging (for a spray, for instance). It can also be completely foregoing packaging with the Furoshiki practice, a Japanese folding technique to wrap gifts waste-free, or with buying in bulk. “Still tentative due to the sanitary crisis, the bulk market remains promising,” adds Jean-Baptiste Tissier. A statement confirmed by this market’s revenue that went from 100 million euros in 2013 to 1.3 billion euros in 2020 [3]. “This new practice is clearly in line with the aspirations of French consumers who want less packaging, it’s an undeniable economic argument.” Note that stores bigger than 400 m² have to allocate as of 2020 “at least 20% of their sales area for consumer goods… to the sale of products presented without primary packaging” (Article 11 of the Climate and Resilience bill).

Finding the right packaging means that companies and distributors must be able to take a step back and reflect. “French consumers are asking for a practical, recyclable and reduced packaging. We are only waiting to see how quickly the economic players will innovate and change their practices to meet this request. I truly believe the best packaging is the one that is not manufactured, or can be reused. La Poste, which now offers reusable packages, understands this. I am convinced other initiatives will make this environmental transformation happen.”

[2] “Sorting and recycling of plastic packaging”

[3] https://lobsoco.com/lobservatoire-du-rapport-des-francais-a-leconomie-circulaire/

A Functional Eco-packaging

Packaging can be used as a medium for information. And it’s precisely what Le Petit Marseillais is offering with its berlingots which managed to combine reduction, concentration (“concentrate 100 ml = 400 ml”) and information by showcasing the arguments for its environmental benefits on their new packaging: “60% less plastic”. An argument that undoubtedly meets the aspirations of consumers who place plastic reduction at the top of their expectations regarding manufacturers.

The 3 R of the AGEC Law to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Packaging

Reduce

● Reducing the weight of packaging thanks to eco-design and by re-examining the essential functions of the packaging

● Developing the bulk market > 60% of stores are equipped with self-serve distribution silos (more than 400)

Reuse

● A measure under development in France

● Creating recovery, transport, washing and refill units in the long run

Recycle

● Recycling rate constantly improving (72% of household packaging* and 62% of papers in France)

● Active development of new recycling sectors to recycle 100% of packaging in the long run, down to the most complex ones.