CBL ambitions 'Sustainable Packaging' in detail

In 2025, twenty percent less packaging material in the supermarkets than in 2020 and 95 percent of the packaging material is recyclable. How are the members of the CBL going to achieve these ambitious targets drawn up in 2019?

Read it in the position paper 'Sustainable Packaging'.

In the position paper the members, in line with the sector plan, make various considerations regarding the choice of packaging material. Recyclability is crucial in that choice. In addition, elements such as food safety, shelf life and CO2 emissions from the logistics process play an important role.

For food packaging made of plastics, mono-material is used as much as possible and PS is phased out in packaging. The use of PET, PE and PP is preferred, as is transparent packaging. If the latter is not possible, coloured material is preferred. Black plastic or dark colours are ideally not used.

When paper and cardboard packaging is used, it is recommended that FSC/PEFC certified and/or recycled material is used wherever possible. Laminates are not yet accepted by paper recyclers and are therefore not recyclable. The aim is therefore to use laminates, coatings or varnishes only when absolutely necessary. 

The retail and foodservice companies also want to ensure that consumers know how packaging should be separated. The CBL encourages municipalities to adopt a uniform approach as far as possible to the organisation of collection systems, so that it is clear to the consumer how packaging must be separated. Disposable and recycling logos can provide guidance in this respect. At a European level, the CBL continues to call for uniformity with regard to collection systems and disposable rules, so that packaging that is distributed at a European level can also contain consumer communication.

Read the position paper 'Sustainable Packaging' (release date 12 October 2021, Dutch only).