Bridging the gap

According to the European Commission’s New Circular Economy Action Plan7 design is key to sustainability; with up to 80% of a product’s environmental impact determined at the design phase8 and one of the barriers to the expansion of markets for circular products being the complexity of packaging materials. However, transitioning from a linear economy that sees plastic packaging as disposable to a fully circular one needs more than just re-designed packaging, it needs a cohesive recycling strategy that involves many players.

So, how can producers play their part in giving consumers what they want, whilst still delivering light weight packaging that promotes health and safety, is durable and convenient, has graphic impact, can be designed to very specific requirements and offer supply chain benefits?

Packaging focus areas

Building more sustainability into flexible packaging, without compromising material performance, is being approached in several ways at present by producers:

• Thanks to country-specific incentives such as the UK’s Plastics Packaging Tax⁹, more recycled plastic content is being introduced
• More mono-material constructions are being designed, to improve the recyclability of current packaging options
• Suitable markets for flexible biopolymers are being identified at present

As well as continued consumer education, waste collection and materials recyclability need to be developed in parallel. However, with consumers demanding change, how is the flexible packaging used on your product lines being altered to meet this need?

A case in point
With the focus squarely on plastic packaging waste reduction, Selig Flexibles is working with clients to offer them more biodegradable and recyclable flexible packaging solutions. The company’s 84% recyclable flexible plastic packaging is being trialled in companies across Europe at present and has recently been approved for use by a German baby food manufacturer seeking to improve its sustainability credentials.

As the degree of a flexible film’s recyclability is impacted by the type of method used to seal the product and the inks featuring on the packaging’s surface, further trials are underway by Selig Flexibles to achieve recyclability of more than 90%. These will subsequently be certified by RecyClass, to achieve Recycled Content Certification.

As flexible packaging requirements change, getting the right partner has become even more important. And as a customer focused producer, Selig Flexibles offers a customised service, low minimum order quantities and short lead times – for both cold and hot seal packaging.

1. http://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/IR/00/00/15/24/00001/AE20600.pdf
2. https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/plastic-packaging-market
3. ibid
4. https://www.plasticsrecyclers.eu
5. Trivium Packaging and Boston Consulting Group Packaging Report, April 2020
6. Conversio Market & Strategy GmbH
7. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/pdf/circular-economy/new_circular_economy_action_plan.pdf
8. https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4d42d597-4f92-4498-8e1d-857cc157e6db
9. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-plastic-packaging-tax/plastic-packaging-tax