Packaging Sustainability Solutions

Developments in Sustainable Packaging

Policy and regulation has been introduced to support eco design, increase recycling, establish formal reuse systems (such as deposit return schemes) and encourage the use of more recycled content. Consumers and charities are demanding less packaging, the ability to readily see on-pack labels that show what can be recycled, and greater transparency about responsible management at end of life. Businesses along the packaging supply chain are responding with R&D programmes that are led by sustainability criteria, and by setting rigorous goals to drive packaging innovation.

And yet, now more than ever, the global pandemic has proven the need for good packaging to protect the products that we use in our every day lives. Fundamentally, any packaging choice must centre on the ability of the format and materials chosen to perform its primary function, that is to get the product to the end user in its best possible condition. After all, in most cases, there is more embedded carbon in the products contained within the packaging, than in the packaging items themselves.

How we help organisations to tackle plastic packaging:

• Understand the policy and regulatory landscape relating to REACH, chemicals of concern and hazardous materials to extended producer responsibility and plastics bans or taxes
• Baseline and benchmark current performance at a business, industry or country level
• Review ‘problematic’ plastic packaging, such as multi-laminated flexible, and evaluate strategies for the future
• Stimulate new collection and recycling approaches, including developing new innovative end of life technologies for chemical recycling, or understand the investment risk and rewards that these innovations offer
• Create and deliver on ambitious plastic packaging commitments and strategies and understand the potential for substitute materials and formats to achieve corporate visions for sustainability
• Understand and address plastic waste leakage in the down-stream supply chain.

Our Approach to Modelling and CBA of materials:

• Modelling the cost of compliance for new and existing packaging portfolios and new and existing regulatory systems
• Creating evidence/data-backed position statements to inform consultations for packaging regulation changes
• Undertaking cost benefit analysis
• Modelling the scale and cost of leakage and mis-management of end of life packaging on the natural environment

Spotlight On:
Product Take-Back Programs

Implementing circularity often involves taking back products from customers or businesses whose models are based on leasing or device as a service.

Our global experts can help you to design and implement product take-back programs to effectively integrate circular economy principles into your business model. We provide end-to-end services, from the initial services blueprint process, pilots and service ramp-up, through to KPI’s, auditing and continuous improvement programs. We also have extensive experience with identifying, vetting, and onboarding suppliers and vendors.

Operating product take-back schemes involves compliance with multiple regulatory regimes, from trans-frontier shipments through to the transport of dangerous goods. Our team of experts has the knowledge and experience required to embed compliance in your operations and ensure business continuity, particularly in large businesses operating in multiple global regions.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR END OF LIFE SOLUTIONS