As brands strive to make responsible business decisions, how can you sort through the packaging myths and buzzwords to devise a more sustainable packaging strategy? With soon-to-arrive legislation, recyclability pledges, and growing consumer demand, brands and retailers need to be equipped with the right information.
In this free webinar, Gerald Rebitzer, Amcor Flexibles Sustainability Director will discuss:
- The most common packaging myths and truths
Sustainability-focused regulations and legislation that are on the horizon
- Why recyclability is not the only criteria for your packaging’s sustainability – key sustainability attributes for your packaging
- Learn your bio-based, from your biodegradable to your compostable – sustainable packaging 101
- How a brand’s packaging sustainability progress can be shared with consumers
https://www.amcor.com/
5. MYTH 1: “BANNING THE USE OF
PLASTICS IN PACKAGING IS THE
BEST SOLUTION FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT”
5
6. +5-6 C
nightmare
+2 C
“safe” limit
Climate change is the #1 sustainability challenge
6
The carbon budget to limit global warming to 2ºC by 2100 will be
consumed by 2030-2040.
2100
2030-2040 +2 C
“safe” limit
The Paris agreement was set at
1.5-2º C warming by the end of the
century.
Currently we are on the path to 5-6º C
warmer, which would change life on
earth as we know it.
°
°°
7. Packaging supporting the battle against food waste
Source: U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization
www.washingtonpost.com
(2018)
30%
CO2
8%
Food wasted globally
across the supply chain
Global greenhouse
gas emissions
7
30% of food is wasted globally
across the supply chain,
contributing 8% of total global
greenhouse gas emissions.
8. Packaging supporting the battle against food waste
8
1st 2nd 3rd
Source: U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization
www.washingtonpost.com
(2018)
U.S.China Food
waste
If food waste were a country, it
would come in third after the
United States and China in
terms of impact on climate
change.
Impact on climate change
place place place
10. 10
Fossil fuel
usage
(MJ- equivalent)
‘000
Greenhouse gas
emissions
(Kg-CO2 equivalent)
‘000
Water usage
(Liters)
‘000
Product to
package
(weight
percentage)
Transport
(Empty units
per tonne)
‘000
89 5 12 3% 204
95 6 72 4% 108
276 27 92 5% 109
327 26 210 35% 6
Flexible
packaging
Composite
carton
Aluminium
can
Glass
bottle
Plastic packaging typically has a lighter environmental
footprint than other materials
Source: Flexible Packaging Association (https://www.flexpack.org) - Extracted from “A Holistic View of
the Role of Flexible Packaging in a Sustainable World” report by PTIS (commissioned 3rd party) 10
11. Plastic packaging typically has a lighter environmental
footprint than other materials
$139billion
$533
Environmental costs
billion
Environmental costs
PLASTICS
ALTERNATIVE
MATERIALS
11
Cost to the environment1
“In many cases plastics are
actually better for the
environment than the
alternatives. It is surprising
until you look closely at it.”2
Susan Selke: director of the school of
packaging at Michigan State University.
1 Source: American Chemistry Council and Trucost, “Plastics and Sustainability”
2 Source: BBC “What’s the Real Price of Getting Rid of Plastic Packaging?” July 2018
13. When designed well,
there is minimal
material usage and
low carbon footprint.
Generally, there is no
substitute for plastics
that’s free of
drawbacks, such as
increased food waste,
loss of protection, or
increased packaging
carbon footprint.
Protects a wide-range of
applications to ensure
products are delivered
efficiently and safely.
Plastic packaging’s high performance
13
14. MYTH 2: “IT’S HARD TO MAKE
PACKAGING MORE SUSTAINABLE
WITHOUT MAKING A DRAMATIC
SHIFT”
14
15. Amcor has several “levers” we use to make
packaging more sustainable
15
16. Recyclable means: packaging
possesses the right attributes for
successful collection, sorting, and
recycling in the real world and at
scale.
Its ability to be recycled by consumers will depend on the
specificities of the recycling programs that consumers have
access to in each market/geography.
PE-based solution
with pre-approval
for US in-store drop
off recycling
scheme
OPP metal-free high
barrier packaging.
Recyclable where
polyolefin recycling
exists
Today: Germany,
Norway, Austria and
being implemented
across Europe.
Know your sustainability terminology
Recyclable
16
17. *Based on the draft EMF Project Barrier guidelines, December 2018. Exceptions can be granted based on
certified recycling tests (e.g. cyclos HTP)
Recycling stream
Developed to be recyclable*
CommentsPreferable Minimum criteria
Aluminium stream >80% aluminium content >30% aluminium content
Paper stream
• Outer layer is paper
• >80% fibers content
• Outer layer is paper
• >50% fibers content
Polyolefins (PO)
stream
• >90% mono PP or PE
• Density <1 g/cm3
• No PVC, Pvdc, fibres,
aluminium foil, PET
• Other polymers <5%
each (e.g. EVOH, PA)
• >80% polyolefins
(mix of PP and PE)
• Density <1 g/cm3
• No PVC, Pvdc, fibres,
aluminium foil, PET
• Other polymers <10% each
(e.g. EVOH, PA)
Based on the draft EMF
Project Barrier
guidelines, December
2018.
Exceptions can be
granted based on
certified recycling tests
(e.g. cyclos HTP)
17
Know your sustainability terminology
Recyclable
18. Post-consumer recycled (PCR)
content means: Plastic that has
served its purpose (has been used by
the consumer) and has subsequently
been recycled and used to produce a
new product.
Source:
Recycled HDPE
Bottles
Pouch made in part with recycled
PE (R-PE)
18
Know your sustainability terminology
Post-consumer recycled content
19. Responsibly sourced materials
means: taking into account the social
and environmental factors when
sourcing materials.
Opportunities to offer packaging solutions
with materials certified according to
programs like Forest Stewardship
Council® for paper, ISCC/Bonsucro for
bio-based PE and the Aluminium
Stewardship Initiative.
19
Know your sustainability terminology
Responsibly sourced materials
20. Compostable means: Plastic that
biodegrades in a managed
composting system. In order for
material decomposition to occur, the
right conditions are required. Amcor’s NaturePlus
Compostable is certified for
industrial composting whilst still
offering exceptional clarity and
stiffness similar to traditional OPP.
Know your sustainability terminology
Compostable
20
21. Bio-based materials means: Plastics
derived from renewable biomass
sources such as sugar cane, paper or
cellulose (this is not the same a
biodegradable).
Source:
Sugar cane
Coffee vacuum pack
made with bio-based PE
21
Know your sustainability terminology
Bio-based materials
22. 22
Know your sustainability terminology
Reusable
Reusable means: Packaging that is
refilled or used again for its original
purpose.
Refill:
Flexible pouch
Reusable:
Rigid bottle
23. How to measure and weigh the different options:
Lower carbon footprint and lifecycle impacts
ASSET Lifecycle Assessment:
Amcor’s in-house life-cycle
assessment tool helps our customers
compare carbon footprint of different
packaging options, for fact-based
decision making.
ASSET tool is certified by the
Carbon Trust so brands can feel
confident in its accuracy and
neutrality.
23
25. Example: More sustainable COFFEE packaging
PE sourced from sugar-cane. Third
party certification from ISCC+ and
BonSucro available
25
Special SiOx coated OPP offers
barrier protection at the level of PET
and alu-foil, plus is recyclable where
polyolefin recycling streams exist.
- OPP
- OPP Ultra SiOx
- Bio-based PE
Material structure
26. Example: More sustainable COFFEE packaging
26
- Aluminium
- Heat-seal lacquer
- Print
- Lacquer
- Varnish
Material structure
High barrier capsules are recyclable where
aluminium recycling streams exist
Paper-based compostable capsule lidding
with high oxygen barrier, to be paired with
compostable capsule body. In development
for industrial composting.
27. Example: More sustainable FRESH packaging
Paper-based base-web derived from
renewable sources that protects
product freshness.
Recyclable where paper recycling
stream is available
– Paper
– PE
– EVOH
– PE
Partially made of renewable paper fibres
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
certified materials Material structure
27
28. Example: More Sustainable SNACKS packaging
28
Special SiOx coated OPP pouch
offers high barrier protection for nuts,
plus is recyclable where polyolefin
streams exist.
PE sourced from sugar-cane.
Third party certification from
ISCC+ and BonSucro available
- OPP
- OPP Ultra SiOx
- Adhesive
- Bio-based PE
Material structure
29. Example: More Sustainable SNACKS packaging
29
Material structure
- OPP
- Adhesive or Extrusion
- MetOPP
In fact, a standard metallized OPP
bag provides acceptable barrier for
most snacks and is recyclable where
polyolefin streams exist.
Minimal material usage
31. Flexible packaging legislation and regulation is building
momentum
• Not separately
collected
• Not recycled
• Some collected
• Waste to energy or
exported or landfilled
• Most collected
• Some recycled
• 100% Collection of
flexible packaging
• Some recycled
Sustainable end markets
for all secondary materials
from recycled flexible
packaging
31Source: CEFLEX, Walmart
Polyolefin
based,
Paper
based,
Aluminium
based,
materials
+ all recyclable
material
separated and
sorted into
separate streams
32. • 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable,
recyclable or compostable
• 70% of plastic packaging effectively recycled or
composted
• 30% average recycled content across all plastic
packaging
• Eliminate single-use plastics (i.e. straws)
EU Strategy for
Plastics in a
Circular Economy
• 100% of plastic packaging designed to be
recyclable or reusable
• Revised requirements for placing
packaging on the market, based on
definition of designed for recyclability
• Award innovation and smart design
Timeline: 2025Timeline: 2030
NGOs, governments and the industry are setting targets
32
United Kingdom
France
Chile
33. Extended Producer Responsibility is increasingly being
established world-wide
33
Developing countries
start implementing EPR
systems
In countries with EPR,
there is a trend of
increasing fees and
modulation based on
recyclability
Source: Environmental Packaging International (EPI)
34. • Retailers making commitments for their private label packaging
• Retailers also putting pressure on brand owners to improve their packaging
• Targets include recyclability, composability and PCR content
• Also pledging to facilitate collection and recycling systems
Timeline: 2020-2035
Retailers are setting targets too
34
36. Are you missing out on an opportunity to build brand equity,
drive sales and show your company values?
15% of new food products launched in flexible packaging have a sustainability claim on-pack ,
with the majority being an unclear “environmentally-friendly package”*
Brands have an opportunity to differentiate through certified and clear claims
Note: * Biodegradable, ethical, recycling, environmentally friendly package, toxins-free and carbon-neutral
Source : Mintel GNPD
Which pack
is
recyclable?
Which one
has a lower
carbon
footprint?
Which one
is made
from bio-
based
materials?
36
37. MYTH 4: “IT’S NOT POSSIBLE TO
CONVEY CREDIBLE SUSTAINABILITY
MESSAGES TO CONSUMERS”
37
38. Sustainability claims 101
Two types
of claims
Claims
based on 3rd
party
certification
What is
the ideal
claim?
The ideal claim
should be:
fact-based,
transparent
and honest
38
Helpful resource: The Federal Trade Commission's Greenguides
https://www.ftc.gov
Self-declared
claims which
tend to be
softer
39. Two types of claims
Claims based on 3rd party certification Self-declared claims and labels
Responsibly sourced
materials
Recycling
ready
Carbon
footprint
Tüv Austria DINCertco (DE)
Forest Stewardship Council
Programme for the Endorsement of
Forest Certification
Institut cyclos-HTP2
Covering all kinds of bio-
based feedstocks and
renewables
Reducing the environmental &
social impacts of sugarcane
Bio-based
content
Carbon Trust launched the world’s first carbon
footprint label in 2007
Collection
systems
TerraCycle Drop-off bins at retailers (PE only)
I am made from ethically
sourced sugarcane!
Coming from sustainably
managed forests
I am partly made from
renewable sources!
I produce 40% less
carbon footprint than my
predecessor
Recyclable through the
paper board stream
Although self-declared claims do not require
3rd party certification, any claims must be
backed by credible facts and proofs 39
I am widely recyclable
40. MYTH 4: “IT’S NOT POSSIBLE TO CONVEY CREDIBLE SUSTAINABILITY
MESSAGES TO CONSUMERS”
MYTH 3: “SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING LEGISLATION IS TOO FAR AWAY TO
ACT NOW”
MYTH 2: “IT’S HARD TO MAKE PACKAGING MORE SUSTAINABLE WITHOUT
MAKING A DRAMATIC SHIFT”
MYTH 1: “BANNING THE USE OF PLASTICS IN PACKAGING IS THE BEST
SOLUTION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT”
Summary
40
We know there is a challenge.
(Show our understanding and build credibility with the audience – we are not going to tell them there is no issue – which is what they may expect from a packaging expert)
However, even though there is an issue that needs to be understand and solved – banning the use of plastics in packaging is not the best solution for the environment…
Climate change is still the #1 sustainability challenge.
THE CARBON BUDGET TO LIMIT GLOBAL WARMING TO 2°C WILL BE CONSUMED BY 2030-2040. Paris climate agreement 1.5 -2 degrees warming but we are on the path to 5-6 by 2100, in our children’s or grandchildren’s lifetime. Before 2050 we need to be at net zero Global greenhouse gases. Cannot loose sight of issues like carbon footprint and food waste.
Food waste is a large contributor to the climate change battle.
The evolution from glass to flexible packaging in practice.
Key message: carbon footprint reduction + recyclability + barrier protection
But how do you make that shift? How do brands choose the right packaging for their products? Can more sustainable packaging be easily achieved? The short answer is yes…
Note: there is perception in the audience that switching to more sustainable materials requires big changes mechanically and technically. These slides need to address this misconception.
More sustainable packaging is more than recycling. At Amcor we use 7 levers to assess how we can make packaging more sustainable. And these are levers you can also use to assess your packaging choices as you develop your strategy.
Amcor experts can support you in navigating the complexity of recycling - across various streams and also across different markets.
Global relevance
Established in PET beverage bottles. Now being expanded into flexibles. Today mainly used in flexibles for non-food applications. Work to bring it safely to food applications as well.
Amcor can support in the certification process.
Every step in the value change needs to be certified.
ASI we have 2 sites being certified, and customer needs to get their site certified.
There’s some on-boarding cost up front.
FSC for example is very well established with clear processes.
This is one that risks being a buzzword as it requires specific collection and conditions to be composted – otherwise it’s just waste. There are certifications for compostable – home and industrial. Check study on compostable grocery shopping bags. It does make sense for certain applications where organic waste is composted with the packaging (i.e. fresh product or coffee capsules).
Explain difference between compostable and biodegradable here or on the next slide.
Be careful with terminology: Bio-based is not the same as biodegrable. Bio-based is…. Talk about reduced CFP.
A way to measure the true cost in context of material sourcing, recycling, climate change, etc.
Let’s see these levers in practice showing you how they can be applied to real products.
Make the point on one of these product slides that switching to a recyclable laminate is a relatively easy and quick switch for brands which doesn’t need to impact their production processes. Amcor experts can provide more insights and specific guidance.
The UK Plastic Pact: Trailblazing, collaborative initiative, delivered by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme, a registered charity) that will create a circular economy for plastics
This slide is key for refuting this myth.
The legislation is coming, the regulation will arrive but even if that feels far off, the key driver now is consumer demand. Consumers are aware of the challenges with ocean plastics and plastics pollution. They are choosing brands which address this challenge. Your brand has the opportunity to differentiate now.
Amcor can support you in navigating these on-pack claims and how to apply for the relevant 3rd party certifications.