Rethinking Sustainable Packaging
Unpacking the Impacts of EU’s 2022 PPWR
In the last 20 years, it's clear that our planet is dealing with a growing issue of pollution and waste.
This issue is particularly pronounced in the packaging industry, where the excessive use of packaging materials and the prevalence of non-recyclable materials and multi-materials objects, impossible to disassemble and dispose correctly, have become a significant concern.
The European Commission introduced the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in 2022. This was done to address the urgent need for a more careful and environmentally conscious approach.
This regulatory document outlines specific guidelines and targets that packaging manufacturers must adhere to if they want to sell their products in the European Market. While this initiative is a step in the right direction, it cannot be considered a complete solution to the current crisis.
We want to highlight important points to help everyone understand and make the packaging industry more sustainable.
Microplastic Pollution – An Invisible Threat
Microplastic is a widespread term, these days, but do we really know its meaning?
Microplastics are tiny fragments of any type of plastic less than 5 mm (0.20 in) in length, coming from
either intentionally manufactured small items or the breakdown of bigger plastic components.
Microplastic contamination is a significant yet often ignored threat to biodiversity and human health, and it's a critical problem that the existing PPWR proposal only partially tackles.
A mere transition from traditional to recycled plastics doesn't offer a holistic solution, as both types of materials generate microplastic emissions throughout their lifespan. This is why we at mPackting are deeply committed to minimizing this type of environmental pollution.
In fact, one of our fundamental principles when creating mBlack was to prevent microplastic production even during the degradation of our material.
Recyclability - Charting a Sustainable Course
The PPWR wants all packaging in the EU to be recyclable by 2035. They aim to have recycling facilities available to at least 75% of the EU population, with exceptions for new materials.
Lawmakers and stakeholders may explore the development of improved recycling systems for bio-based and biodegradable materials. This is to prevent unintended issues and decrease dependence on oil.
This step will be crucial for the introduction and diffusion of new bioplastics, PLA for example, requiring a dedicated path to re-use.
Again, at mPackting, we emphasize the importance of showcasing a viable pathway to recyclability at scale for sustainable alternatives, ensuring they are not overshadowed by mainstream, already explored and in-use solutions.
Minimum Percentage of Recycled Content - Aiming Higher
The PPWR also proposes minimum percentages of recycled content for plastic packaging, with ambitious targets for the coming years: from 10%, to 35% in 2030 and from 50 to 65% in 2040, depending on the final use intended for the product.
mPackting’s commitment to sustainability extends to incorporating high percentages of recycled and upcycled content, with a goal to make its raw materials as waste or bio-based as possible, waste-based within the next five years. To maximize sustainability efforts, it is crucial to include not only plastic waste streams, but also biosourced materials, like forestry or wood waste, within the definition of recycled content. This inclusive approach ensures that the proposed targets are achievable for bio-based and biodegradable materials, fostering industry-wide adoption of sustainable practices.
LCA-Based Approach - The Future of the Industry
In the pursuit of effective strategies to tackle microplastic pollution and encourage eco-friendly packaging, it's essential to adopt a method rooted in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA is a thorough analysis of the environmental impact of a product or material throughout its entire life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing, usage, and disposal.
Implementing an LCA-centric approach provides a comprehensive view of the environmental impacts of packaging materials, considering aspects like energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution potential.
By performing LCAs on different packaging alternatives, such as bio-based and biodegradable materials, policymakers can make knowledgeable decisions that emphasize sustainability and reduce unforeseen impacts.
Embracing LCA as a guiding principle ensures that efforts to address packaging and microplastic challenges are rooted in a systemic understanding of the environmental implications, paving the way for genuinely sustainable solutions.
Interested in discovering more about mPackting and our approach to sustainable packaging? Get in touch with us!
