Blog by Searious Business - SustainPack & SB Oceans

What a ride it was! Last week was a busy week with two international events on sustainable use of plastics. Searious Business attended both ‘Sustainability in Packaging Europe’ in Spain and ‘Sustainable Brands Ocean Summit’ in Portugal. Both as a keynote speaker and as a moderator and masterclass leader. Here is a short recap of our findings.

‘Sustainability in Packaging’ scored high in our expectations. Our CEO, Willemijn Peeters, gave a keynote speech at this prestigious event last year. She selected this event as it stands out in terms of the willingness to act with a high number of attending decision-makers from brand owners and supplying industry. It is safe to say that this year, again, organizer Smithers managed to fulfill these expectations. It certainly was a must-be event for us, and others involved in the packaging industry that are interested in progressing towards sustainable packaging.

Many insights and key lessons learned were shared, from (non-)governmental bodies as well as from industry leaders. Some of the highlights we will share with you:

• ReUse comes first. This still gets too little attention, whereas most potential can be found here while switching to a circular economy!
• The European Commission remembered us a UN report from early 2019 that stated “unprecedented urgent action is necessary”. Correct question: what has been done so far? Should we embrace a “Plastic Sharia”? And by doing so, adopt much stricter enforcement of regulations tackling plastic pollution? Indeed it is clear that also in terms of recycling rate, it only makes sense to measure the output rate! (whereas recycling rate now means % input into recycling facilities (and previously, even more wrong, recycling rate meant only the % of plastic collected). Most brands act according to the rule now: “Recyclable” must now be “effectively recyclable in countries where packaging is sold”.
• It is not to be denied how much NGO’s & consumer pressure has helped to develop industry projects preventing plastic pollution. Education on the circular economy in schools helps keep momentum.
• The “golden triangle” in sustainable packaging for more and more brand owners means a threefold approach in recyclability - collection - recycled content.
• Vital points made: traceability is essential in Post-Consumer Recycling. Traceability will be easier in a controlled environment, like the EU, rather than in Asia. But reliable sourcing is an essential everywhere. This is also true for biopolymers, particularly where sustainable sourcing is of the essence - and not where the focus is just on CO2 impact, but also other environmental impacts, such as biodiversity impacts.
• Some companies primarily see ‘circular economy’ as a tool, to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Questions raised by brand owners: “How do we look at equity in the world? And how do we act sustainably?”
• Plastic leakage: there is a need for a tool to determine a company’s plastic leakage. When presented with an overview of available tools, we were happy to see Searious Business’ offer of our internationally recognized Plastic Scan.
• Food Packaging Forum urged all to be very aware of migration issues in food packaging from recycled content. More knowledge and solutions are needed urgently, as currently, food safety combined with the circular economy still poses quite some challenges. (Needless to tell us this, as we are helping many clients specifically in this area.) The debate around microplastics is also not done yet. A lot more needs to be investigated but let’s apply principle of being prudent, was the profound feeling that found resonance.
• Call to action from industry leaders: “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. So go the extra mile: Keep packaging in the economy, out of the environment.” Need we add more? Well, maybe this: research from Tetra Pak shows: Who should take lead in solutions? According to consumers, this should be governments and Food & beverage companies. Good to know: >50% of consumers read environmental logos and messages on pack when shopping. And >50% says that sustainable packaging makes them more likely to consider a brand.
• Good quote that was acknowledged by many solution providers: “ The previous generations started with virgin oil-based packaging; the next generation will put an end to it, and we are in the middle”.

So what a conference. With >540 participants, it clearly shows interest in this topic is overwhelming, which is a good sign.

Next conference was ‘Sustainable Brands Ocean Summit’. Whereas ‘Sustainable Brands’ is prominent in the US, it is not so well known yet with brand owners in Europe. Nonetheless, approximately 600 participants signed up for the three-day event with an impressive line-up of speakers. Focused specifically on solutions towards a clean and living Ocean, this partner event was mostly interesting for potential partners and solution providers working in similar lines of work. Searious Business had geared up several team members in order to facilitate this partner event, and will follow up on both events these coming weeks.

Did you miss it? Want to attend one of our upcoming events? Check out www.seariousbusiness.com/events or drop us a line at [email protected] We will be happy to help you move forward in the sustainable use of plastics.