We need better packaging that helps protect our planet’s climate and biodiversity, while delivering essential nutrients and food to consumers in a safe and affordable way.
In Europe, where food waste remains a major issue and the pressure of climate change is accelerating, food safety remains a necessity. And European citizens, already worried about the environmental impact of what they use and consume, should not have to worry about their packaging.
We need better packaging that helps protect our planet’s climate and biodiversity, while delivering essential nutrients and food to consumers in a safe and affordable way. Better packaging that enables the long-term storage of highly nutritious foods, minimises food waste and ensures a resilient and safe supply chain. And better packaging that is responsibly sourced and produced, easy to collect and recycle, and does not pollute our environment after use.
If implemented well, the EU’s measures could have a huge impact: imagine a world where packaging is responsibly made from renewable materials, while being designed with circularity in mind. These materials not only protect biodiversity, but also ensure that the packaging we use today replenishes nature rather than depleting it.
The EU’s efforts could have a huge impact: imagine a world where packaging is responsibly sourced from renewable materials, while being designed with circularity in mind.
This is the ambition that the packaging sector must aim for. At SIG, we already collaborate with WWF on forest conservation projects and work with the Forest Stewardship CouncilMT (FSC™ Trademark License Code: FSC™ C020428) and we are committed to working with our supply chain partners to drive sustainable forestry. But the industry can go further; the European Nature Restoration Act can now pave the way for nature regeneration and a truly circular economy across Europe. We stand ready to support policymakers in this.
The hidden carbon cost of packaging
The environmental impact of packaging is not limited to visible waste such as plastic bottles polluting our oceans. The carbon footprint associated with production, transportation and disposal processes also contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. We must strive to develop low-carbon food and beverage packaging solutions and eliminate large amounts of emissions. To do this, we must recognize the need to rethink our approach to packaging materials and design.
Industry can go further; the European Nature Restoration Act can now pave the way for nature regeneration and a truly circular economy across Europe. We stand ready to support policy makers
Food and beverage packaging should be lightweight and space-saving, depending on its function. If all food and beverage products were packaged in the least polluting packaging possible, from production to disposal, the impact on our climate would be significant, helping us combat the looming threat of climate change. We need to focus on low-carbon food and beverage packaging solutions, so that we can move towards a more sustainable future.
Politico
