New report on rapid pace of plastic pollution
One of the most comprehensive and robust studies ever produced on ocean plastics was released this week. "Breaking the Plastic Wave" shows that plastic pollution is rapidly outpacing efforts to stop it.
In response, Dame Ellen MacArthur has said: "To turn the tide on plastic waste and pollution, we need to radically increase our efforts and speed up the transition to a circular economy."
Packaging Europe spoke to SYSTEMIQ, who developed the report with The Pew Charitable Trusts. Managing partner Martin Stuchtey said: "Our results indicate that the plastic crisis is solvable. What we now need is the industry and government resolve to do so."
The report was also featured on BBC News which as, as well as showing how plastic waste should be handled in a UK facility, highlighted that many parts of the developing world do not have domestic refuse collection.
Read more from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation >>
Read the new report >>
Read the Packaging Europe article >>
Is consumer flexible packaging recyclable?
The answer is "yes" according to Graham Houlder, Managing Director at CEFLEX. But he goes on to say: "How can we create a circular economy for flexible packaging? And, perhaps most importantly, how can we ensure that this circular economy is also sustainable long term? It's complicated, controversial and surprisingly simple all at the same time."
Read Graham's article >>
Creating a circular economy for flexible plastic packaging
WRAP recently published their "Roadmap 2025: Creating A Circular Economy For Flexible Plastic Packaging". It is seen as crucial in working towards The UK Plastics Pact's Vision "a world where plastic is valued and doesn't pollute the environment" and critical if we are to achieve the Pact targets of:
• 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
• 70% of plastic packaging effectively recycled or composted by 2025.
The roadmap sets out high-level actions that need to be taken by each part of the value chain and a strategy, which aligns with the European programme CEFLEX, has been developed that spans these areas.
Peter Maddox, WRAP director, said: "Where flexible plastic packaging serves an important purpose, such as preserving food or for hygiene reasons, it is imperative that we have the means to recycle it."
Find out more >>
Essential role of chemical recycling to tackle plastic waste
Chemical recycling is an essential "game changer" for the EU to achieve its circular economy goals, according to The European Chemical Industry Council. The council has highlighted the important role of chemical recycling in the mix of solutions to tackle the problem of plastic waste when currently just 15% of material collected finds its way back into the market.
Find out more >>
Flexible packaging industry agrees unified sustainability vision
A vision on sustainability has been agreed by the members of Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE), which represent the European flexible packaging industry. The four goals are:
- Designing flexible packaging for full effectiveness and minimum environmental footprint.
- Circularity for flexible packaging.
- Zero tolerance of leakage and littering into the environment
- Speeding up progress with cooperation.
Read more >>
Taxing matters
The tax, to be introduced as of 1st January, 2021, will be calculated on the weight of non-recycled plastic packaging waste.
The consultation deadline for "Plastic Packaging Tax: policy design" is 20th August, 2020. You can play your part, including raising any concerns with your MP … it can help to influence change.
Maintaining a supply chain during COVID-19
Sourcing about 13,000 products from around 750 suppliers based in over 50 countries is no mean feat. But it is achieved by Bakkavor, the leading provider of fresh prepared food.
This week, Bakkavor published an insight into the responsibilities of their procurement team and the huge group effort that has seen them maintain their supply chain with zero disruption during COVID-19.
Having worked with Bakkavor for the best part of a decade (or more!), we are also proud to play our part in ensuring security of supply during the crisis.
Read the Bakkavor story >>
How do you prefer your meat packaged?
Do you prefer your meat to arrive in a tray or vacuum pack?
The Black Farmer asked the question on Twitter this week.
It comes in a week when Packaging Automation was keen to highlight the benefits of skin packaging.
And we revealed how KM Packaging can provide for rPET and APET trays the Number One PET lidding film solution … a mono polymer structure made up of one or more layers of the same material.
Read about our mono packaging solution that's designed for recyclability >>
Find out more about K Skin, our range of highly protective films suitable for vacuum packaging >>
Tray support for pet food sector
We learned this week that Proseal tray sealing technology is helping pet food manufacturers to meet growing demand for high quality products and packaging.
It is an important sector that we also support by enabling pet food manufacturers to move from a traditional tin can to a lighter-weight tray and lid solution without compromising on product shelf-life.
Discover our pet food lidding films >>
Date for your diary – BPF webinar
Join James Piper, CEO of Ecosurety, as he explains the design of a new and innovative funding mechanism to collect and recycle hard to recycle plastic, including films and laminates.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM BST
Register your interest >>
One to watch – from ocean trash to plastic treasure
Watch and hear how plastic trash in the ocean has been recycled into granulate.
See the video >>
Our weekly wrap-up is taking a short summer break. Thanks for tuning in … we’ll be back in September!
From the KM team … Stay Safe, Keep Up The Good Work, and Value Plastic.