2022 FPF Workshop: From ideas to action

In the afternoon of the Food Packaging Forum’s annual workshop, speakers discuss changing narratives to make information actionable, share behind-the-scenes of a reuse system running for over 80 years; panels discuss visions, obstacles for a sustainable food system

ZWE explains how FCM safety is fundamental to sustainability

Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) report helps businesses understand importance of addressing hazardous chemicals in food contact materials (FCMs), current challenges; shares tools and resources to support decision making; argues that to be truly sustainable, packaging must also be safe for both human and environmental health

Kenya Plastic Pact 2030 roadmap

Kenya Plastics Pact publishes roadmap to 2030 with four main targets to tackle plastic waste and pollution; targets focus on replacing single-use plastic packaging, reusability, recyclability; Pact now has 34 signatories

Report: European supermarkets falling short on packaging commitments

Changing Markets Foundation and Break Free From Plastic investigate plastic pollution related actions made by 74 of the largest European supermarkets; Total average score of retailers was just 13/100, only Aldi UK and Aldi Ireland scored above 60; over 80% of companies had no information on total plastic use which “casts doubt” over plastic reduction pledges because there is no baseline data

Luxembourg Parliament passes “package” of circular economy laws

Five new circular economy laws coming into force in Luxembourg over the next few years; laws ban many single use consumer products, plastic packaging for produce under 1.5kg; Supermarkets with more than 400 square meters of floor space must make space for collecting used packaging; reusables will be mandatory for in store eating and take away

Packaging stakeholder guidance on converting to reuse, using safer additives

Sustainable Packaging Coalition publishes guidance for converting to refillable or returnable packaging systems; CHEM Forward releases tool to help identify safer additives to use in plastic packaging

Restaurant review site now includes packaging as search filter

The restaurant review and search site Yelp now includes search filters for packaging; when searching for a restaurant, customers can filter for reusable tableware, plastic-free packaging, accepting of bring-your-own containers; restaurant owners can update the settings, customers can suggest changes to Yelp

Spain passes comprehensive waste reduction regulation, eases the way for reuse

New Spanish waste law includes extensive waste reduction measures and targets across the entire supply chain; bans bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates in food packaging; mandates food providers offer tap water for free and accept reusable containers if customers bring them; 20% of floor space in large grocery stores must be for food without packaging; establishes extended producer responsibility scheme and bottle-to-bottle recycling program

Belgian initiatives aim to reduce packaging waste and EDC exposure

New initiative to create reusable packaging system for Flemish region of Belgium; over 80 companies across the food, consumer products, and packaging supply chain sign on; Belgian federal government launching action plan on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)

UK supermarket coalition co-developing refill system

Four UK supermarket chains announce they are partnering to create a single food refill system that works across all their stores and delivery platforms; want to reduce single-use plastic packaging; details and trial locations to be announced later in 2022