Steps we’re taking to build a sustainable packaging value chain
The meeting's agenda kicked off with a welcome from our SVP and General Manager, Steve Flannery, followed by updates on our sustainability goals and projects from our Director Strategy & Sustainability, Alena Maran, and a showcase of our innovation capabilities from our VP Global R&D and Sustainability, Pascale Wautelet.
After that, the alliance’s various workstreams presented their latest outcomes and recommendations. For example, the Digitization workstream discussed how they are driving standardization of packaging data among producers and developing tools that make reporting, analysis, and change management easier, and the need for new data models that automatically provide dynamic packaging information.
Meanwhile, the Technology & Recyclability workstream covered various ongoing initiatives to improve recycling process technology and the recyclability of packaging entering the recycling stream. They also presented and evaluated new sorting technologies and their capabilities. The workstream’s goal is to inform and give recommendations for the overall Design for Recycling guidelines in Germany.
Finally, the End User Communication workstream addressed one of the biggest challenges the circular economy faces: the lack of consumer awareness about how to properly use waste collection bins, which results in large amounts of waste ending up in the wrong recycling stream. The Forum agreed to significantly invest into education programs at primary schools, which have proven to be effective in recent pilots.
