The Interview by Apeal: Julian Carroll

Highlights of the second edition of “Steel for Packaging Update” the newsletter by Apeal, include an interview with Julian Carroll, the Managing Director of the European Organization for Packaging and the Environment (EUROPEN), who shares his perspectives on what’s on the agenda for packaging for the years to come.

Packaging 2020: responsibility for packaging waste under review

The future development of responsibility for packaging waste management is the subject of an international seminar in Brussels on 6 October 2010. The seminar, Packaging 2020: Cradle to Cradle Management, jointly sponsored by EUROPEN and PRO EUROPE will bring experts from the packaging value chain together with representatives from public authorities to assess the achievements and status of packaging waste management schemes established under EPR principles in various European countries. The further development of these schemes and possible adaptation of similar systems in North America and other parts of the globe will also be discussed.

Empac launches first interactive environmental scorecard

European Metal Packaging (Empac), the association bringing together European producers of rigid metal packaging, today announced the launch of an interactive scorecard which calculates the carbon footprint of its members’ metal packaging products.

The scorecard underlines Empac’s commitment to build upon metal packaging’s record recycling rate of 71% in 2008 (source: APEAL) and aims to give consistent answers to questions raised by customers, retailers and regulators regarding the environmental impact of metal packaging.
Designed to provide estimates of CO2 eq. levels for different cans with different recycling rates, weights and transport distances, the scorecard is a tailor made tool developed especially for Empac. Using a life cycle analysis approach, the interactive scorecard tracks carbon emissions throughout the entire production process of the metal can, from the mining of raw materials through to the manufacture of cans and their delivery to customers.
The interactive element of the tool allows for measurements of carbon data from transport, recycling and lightweighting processes to determine levels of CO2 eq. emissions. The scorecard will be updated at regular intervals in order to provide the industry with an accurate picture of metal packaging’s carbon footprint and the progress it is making to further minimise emissions.

A Global Language for Packaging and Sustainability

The Consumer Goods Forum released the first report from its Sustainability workstream.

The report (attached), A Global Language for Packaging and Sustainability, delivers a common framework and measurement system that trading partners can use to help them make better, more informed decisions about packaging and sustainability.

Environmental impacts of package designs

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition® (SPC) has released a new version of its Compass® web application, which allows packaging professionals to compare the environmental impacts of package designs. Using a life cycle approach, Compass assesses packages on resource consumption, emissions and packaging attributes such as material health, recycled or virgin content, sourcing and solid waste. Version 2.0 will include the ability to model the transportation impacts associated with packaging distribution and an enhanced user interface.

European Bioplastics has a new Head of Communications

Kristy-Barbara Lange took over the position as Head of Communications at European Bioplastics - the association representing the interests of the European bioplastics industry. Lange will be responsible for press and media relations and report to Managing Director Hasso von Pogrell.

Before joining European Bioplastics Lange worked for two communication agencies in Berlin (Germany). From 2007 to 2010 she was employed by Hill & Knowlton Communications GmbH - an international network agency. As an Account Manager focussing on Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Lange counted well known international energy companies as well as major European infrastructure projects among her clients. She gained comprehensive expertise and insight into international communication requirements - especially with respect to sensitive issues in the field of Public Affairs.

Renewed focus on bioplastics at the interpack

For the third consecutive edition the interpack bioplastics trade fair will be staging a group exhibition. With just under a year to go until the event gets underway a total of 39 companies have already registered for the fully booked exhibition.

After 2005 and 2008, bioplastics will be exhibited by the trade fair and the organiser European Bioplastics in hall 9 alongside packaging materials, packages and package production. This means that in 2011 the pioneering green plastics industry will be moving out of the INNOVATIONPARC PACKAGING for the first time and can now prove it-self within the established sectors. "We are very excited about this positive example which further underlines the success of our approach of focusing on such hot topics," says Bernd Jablonowski, director of interpack.