Berlin, 9 September 2020 – In response to the new report “Biodegradable and compostable plastics – challenges and opportunities” by the European Environment Agency (EEA), European Bioplastics (EUBP) highlights the need to acknowledge successful precedents in the deployment of these innovative materials in collaboration with a receptive community of consumers. Unfortunately, several media outlets made use of a biased interpretation of the report to draw a distorted picture of biodegradable and compostable plastics.

Flexographic printing ink system for flexible sheets receives Material Health Certification GOLD from Cradle to Cradle Certified™

The reduction of waste in general and plastic waste in particular is an important issue, also for the food processing and home and personal care industry in India. The Indian government is responding to the problem and therefore adopted ‘Plastic Waste Management Rules’ as early as in 2016. Among other things, the rules prescribe to scrap single-use plastic like pouches completely by the year 2022. Another part of the new regulations is the phasing out of multi-layered plastic, which is non-recyclable. Alexander Baumgartner, CEO of Constantia Flexibles: “We know about our responsibilities towards the industry, the end consumers and – first and foremost – towards the environment. Thus, we are not only focusing on developing more environmentally friendly packaging, we also designed the first plant in the world dedicated to produce sustainable packaging only. The plant named Constantia Ecoflex Ahmedabad is located in Gujarat in India, which is the perfect market to implement such a forward-looking project.” More sustainable packaging only at the new plant in Ahmedabad The decision to open a plant in India was relatively straightforward. Amongst others, the new ‘Plastic Waste Management Rules’ show, that Indian government can exert pressure on the recycling economy and that it supports initiatives and companies which advocate for less waste. The solutions produced at the new plant all belong to the innovative product family EcoLam, which is part of Constantia Flexibles’ innovative product line Ecolutions. EcoLam is a lightweight Mono-PE laminate suitable for a great variety of packaging applications. Due to its mono-material structure it is fully recyclable, and its carbon footprint is approximately 32% lower than that of comparable products. The EcoLam family comes in different barrier grades (EcoLam, EcoLamPlus, EcoLamHighPlus) to deliver the barrier needs for a diverse range of products.

The Camden-based carmaker said the new program, created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related use of items like disposable masks and gloves, expands on its current partnership with the Trenton-based firm. The goal, Subaru said in a news release, is to keep improperly discarded PPE out of landfills and incinerators. The automaker will collect PPE at more than 20 offices nationwide, including ports, training centers and its Camden headquarters. “At Subaru, our commitment to maintaining a safe work environment is as strong as our dedication to protecting and preserving our environment by keeping it clean,” Alan Bethke, senior vice president, marketing, said in a prepared statement. “This expansion of our years-long work with TerraCycle allows us to responsibly wear PPE while furthering the Subaru Love Promise commitment to reduce landfill trash and engage in smart environmental practices, simply because it is the right thing to do.” PPE are not recyclable through conventional facilities. The Zero Waste Boxes will be filled and returned to TerraCycle for processing and eventual conversion into other products, from plastic shipping pallets to low-rubber matting. “At TerraCycle, our mission has always been to eliminate waste, recycle the unrecyclable and use our innovative business solutions to minimize human impact on the planet,” Tom Szaky, founder and CEO, said in a statement. “By spearheading this initiative to reduce the impact of PPE waste on the environment, Subaru continues to demonstrate their shared commitment to a greener future.”

What material has been in use for thousands of years? What is natural, recyclable and biodegradable in 6 weeks? What can come from a fully sustainable, certified source? What can be used to form strong, safe and sustainable packaging? What type of packaging has Cullen been producing, innovating and advancing for a century? When you realise the answer to all these questions is paper, you realise paper is the answer to a lot of questions. What can companies use to help prioritise sustainability? What is the best packaging option to replace plastic packaging? How can business replace single-use plastic packaging in a way that isn’t expensive, especially in the current difficulties economies are facing? Worldwide, fingers are on the buzzers for the simple, sustainable solution. With the pressure on to find out the best way forward, packaging is a great starting point. Paper-based packaging – moulded pulp and corrugate boxes – can significantly reduce product waste through damage, use of plastic and carbon footprint. Bioplastics and plant-based products are other packaging teams claiming sustainability as their specialist subject. Bioplastics still break down to be microplastics – just as problematic for the planet – and plant-based products would need environmentally damaging levels of crop production to be a viable alternative to plastic. The thing that puts paper at the top of the plastic replacement leader board is cost. Eco-friendly paper-based packaging can be a commercially viable replacement for plastic, making it easier to ensure sustainability without sacrificing profit. When it comes to packaging, paper gets top marks. Cullen manufacture moulded pulp and corrugate packaging from our 56,000 m2 site in Glasgow, UK. Get in touch and let us help you make your packaging prize-winning.

Amid the social distancing and lock down protocols instated due to the spread of covid-19, a surge in the use of plastic, especially single-use plastic, has been observed worldwide.

To further reduce plastic, this Earth Day Fekkai is introducing limited-edition Mushroom Packaging. Starting April 20, while supplies last, orders will be shipped in mushroom packaging made from 100% compostable and biodegradable ingredients (mycelium and hemp hurds) which means less plastic in shipping products. Once products are safely delivered, soil can be added to the packaging in a garden or compost to biodegrade in 45 days. Mushroom Packaging has been awarded the globally-recognized Cradle-to-Cradle Gold Certification for sustainability and safety. This past January, Fekkai relaunched a collection of shampoo, conditioner, and treatments packaged in 95% high-grade repurposed plastic that are 100% recyclable, as reported in Happi. In 2020, Fekkai will repurpose 64 million grams of plastic—that is roughly 7 million plastic bottles, and they are just getting started, said the company. Each product is free of parabens, sulfates, silicones, phthalates and 100% vegan and gluten-free.