CBL: Packaging materials decrease, recycling increases

Supermarkets are making significant strides toward more sustainable packaging. The 2023 Packaging Report shows that CBL members are on track to meet their 2025 goals. Reducing packaging materials and increasing recyclability are central to these efforts.

Goals already within reach

The ambition to reduce packaging materials by 20% per million items by 2025 has already been achieved, according to the report. Additionally, the target of using an average of 50% recycled content in PET bottles and trays has been met. This progress is largely due to the increased use of rPET.

Work still to be done

There is still work to do. A disposal guide must be included on all packaging, and by 2025, 95% of all primary and secondary packaging must be fully recyclable. While secondary packaging already meets this standard, primary packaging still has room for improvement. Plastics and paper-based materials, in particular, require further attention, despite visible progress.

Looking ahead to 2025

The focus remains on sustainability and collaboration across the supply chain. Innovations from the packaging industry and improvements by sorting and recycling facilities are critical. According to René Roorda, director of CBL, supermarkets are working daily to achieve the most sustainable packaging process possible. With the current approach, the industry is on track to reach its 2025 goals.

Cbl.nl