SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AND EPR? ?Is there a link?

Is Sustainable packaging important in EPR?

Sustainable Packaging and EPR are buzz words in this new environmental conscious world. But what is sustainable packaging, and how is it related to EPR, if at all?

Let’s look at EPR and what is says about Sustainable Packaging. The relationship between the two will become glaringly obvious.

EPR

According to the EPR Regulations, “Packaging” is defined as any material, container or wrapping or corrugated cases, used for the containment, transport, handling, protection, promotion, marketing or sale of any product or substance, which may be primary packaging, containing the actual product or secondary packaging or tertiary packaging, typically containing products already packaged in primary packaging.

?The published notice on Paper and packaging goes on to the list the following as types of packaging as defined by EPR Regulations:

·??????? Paper and paper packaging material

·??????? Plastic packaging

·??????? Biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging

·??????? Single-use plastic products

·??????? Single-use compostable plastic products

·??????? Single-use biodegradable plastic products

·??????? Glass packaging; and

·??????? Metal packaging containers.

The notice then goes on to prescribe minimum requirements for Packaging as per below:

MINIMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EPR SCHEMES

The EPR Regulations require that Brand Owners and Manufacturers of Paper and Packaging as defined, to implement an EPR scheme that achieves the following outputs:

The extended producer responsibility scheme contemplated in these Regulations must as a minimum include requirements for:

?(1) cleaner production measures that must include as a minimum but not limited to-

(a) design for recyclability; and

(b) waste minimization or waste avoidance;

(2) waste reduction including as a minimum but not limited to

(a) composition of products; or

(b) volume of products; or

(c) weight of products to be restricted and reduced with associated timeframes

(3) reuse

(4) recycling

(5) recovery for beneficial use

(6) treatment

(7) disposal

?EPR Regulations are clear in their stipulations for packaging. They advocate for packaging products that are sustainable – made from as much as possible eco-friendly materials, that are recyclable and can be reused for other purposes. Sustainable packaging is therefore critical to the success of EPR.

?WHY SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING DRIVES EPR IMPERATIVES

Did you know that packaging is the number one contributor to landfills – swelling up landfills to near capacity? Plastic waste, in particular is a menace on land, sea and landfills. It is because of this that brands must invest in eco-friendly packaging materials that are recyclable and promote circularity. EPR Schemes must implement sustainable separation at source initiatives supported by robust recycling campaigns. Sustainable packaging that is eco-friendly, reduces carbon emissions whilst creating a circular economy that creates meaning job opportunities.

?HOW TO DESIGN SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING TO MEET EPR GOALS

?When designing sustainable packaging for products, it is important that Brands answer a few critical questions, including the following: will the packaging attract consumers to the product; how much will it cost to make it; and will it provide needed protection for the products, will packaging enhance the brand aesthetics??Sustainable packaging may not always be attractive, economical, or sturdy; whereby unsustainable packaging may be cheap, convenient, and strong, it is resource-intensive and wasteful. Brand owners must strike a delicate balance between costs, marketing, logistics, functionality, and impact on the environment.

?When designing sustainable packaging brands should be cognisant of these factors:

?·??????? Less is More?– Keep it simple and design for functionality. Use as little material as possible to reduce waste. More practical, less frills.

·??????? Eco-friendly materials?– The most eco-friendly materials are paper and cardboard and wood. Brands must look for materials that can be reused or repurposed for other uses. The more versatile and functional a material is – the better. Contrary to popular belief plastic (Recyclable Plastic) is a sustainable material – it turns waste into useable and valuable products and reduces the need for natural resources. Glass is eco-friendly if it’s locally produced and reusable. Eco-friendly materials must be designed for recyclability using cleaner production measures that do not harm the environment.

·??????? Returnable, Refillable and reusable containers?– Returnable ,refillable and reusable packaging is sustainable as it diverts materials from landfills and reduces the need to use natural resources to make new packaging it reduces carbon footprint and saves energy. There are different options available and they include Returnable Glass Bottles (known as RGB), Refillable PET (known as RefPet). Other reusable packaging includes glass jars or containers that consumers use every time they want a particular product. Popular Beverage Brands have implemented Take Back schemes and Deposit Return Schemes to drive returnability of packaging. Such initiatives are eco-friendly, reduce costs and feed into a circular economy.

·??????? Easy to recycle?– When designing for sustainability and recycling, brands must use as few materials as possible or similar materials so that it is easy to recycle them. The easier it is to recycle, the less expensive it is to do so for recycling companies and the more likely that the material will be recycled and diverted from landfill.

·??????? Local is lekker?– packaging that must travel great distances to get to your door is not eco-friendly, no matter what it’s made from. Transporting it uses fuel, which comes from non-renewable resources and adds pollution to the air which is harmful to the environment. Packaging that’s made close to home has a smaller carbon footprint and helps support the local economy whilst protecting the environment. Brand owners must utilise local suppliers or make packaging locally for it to be sustainable.

?Is Sustainable Packaging Important for EPR?

It is indisputable from the above discussion that EPR and Sustainable Packaging are inextricably linked – and joined at the hip. A successful EPR Programme must be supported by elaborate EPR Scheme Plans that are anchored in sustainable packaging solutions amongst others. Such a symbiotic relationship augurs well for EPR and is beneficial to the environment.

Would you like to learn more about EPR and related matters? Please reach out directly to EPR Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA). We are experts in EPR and Waste Management.

(WWW.EWASA.ORG) eWASA (EPR Waste Association of South Africa) #EPR #WASTEMANAGEMENT #CIRCULARECONOMY #SUSTAINABLEPACKAGING #EWASA

By Dumisani Siziba

Head: Strategic, Municipality and SMME Projects

?