Recycla­bility of primary packaging remains a concern

The supermarket sector has used less packaging material, but still lags behind on recyclability. This is stated in the CBL Verpakkingsrapportage 2025. Primary packaging in particular remains a concern for the supply chain.

Less packaging material

In the Brancheplan Duurzaam Verpakken, the supermarket sector set out its ambitions for 2020 through 2025. These targets focused on reducing packaging material and making packaging more sustainable.

According to the Verpakkingsrapportage 2025, this approach delivered results. The weight of packaging material fell by eighteen percent compared with 2020. The share of recycled material in PET packaging also increased. PET packaging now consists of 53 percent recycled material. This means the target of fifty percent has been met.

Primary packaging

Primary packaging continues to lag behind especially in terms of recyclability. Of secondary packaging, 96 percent is now recyclable. For primary packaging, that share is 68 percent.

The disposal guide is also not yet listed on all primary packaging. The target was one hundred percent. The sector reached 87 percent. According to CBL, this is mainly because international products often do not have a uniform disposal guide.

Supply chain collaboration

According to CBL, further sustainability improvements require collaboration across the entire supply chain. This involves supermarkets, producers, packaging suppliers, recyclers, and governments. Innovation should make packaging more recyclable. Food safety and shelf life must not come under pressure as a result. CBL also points to European regulation. This should provide more room for the safe use of recycled plastic in food packaging.

Investments in collection, sorting, and high-quality recycling also remain necessary. Clear recycling instructions help consumers separate packaging more effectively. This keeps valuable raw materials in the chain for longer.

Cbl.nl