29.6.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 228/117
Natural and energy resources for packaging — concerns and solutions 2.8.
Modern food packaging — a major use of packaging materials — offers a means of making food dependable, hygienic, shelf-stable and safe.
However, most food packaging is still single-use and cannot be fully recycled, if not properly separated by other material fractions and collected, because they are either soiled with food, too small or multilayer.
2.9.
Each packaging type requires numerous resources, including energy, water, chemicals, petroleum, minerals, wood and textiles.
In addition, its production frequently results in wastewater and sludge with harmful chemicals, and air emissions of greenhouse gases, heavy metals and particles.
2.10.
Various man-made and synthetic materials, including ceramics, glass, metal, paper, paperboard, cardboard, wax, wood, and increasingly plastics, are used to create modern food packaging.
Most of this packaging is made of glass, stiff plastic, paper, and paperboard.
Even though some more recent plastics are created from corn and other plant materials, the majority are still made from petroleum and contain additives such as polymers.
2.11.
It is pivotal that the European Commission set out in the proposal a minimum, mandatory bio-based content of at least 60 % for compostable packaging.
Paperboards are frequently lined with plastic that is not visible, and many different forms of packaging are labelled with text using printer inks.
2.12.
The increased use of different kinds of packaging, together with low reuse and recycling rates, may hinder the creation of a low-carbon circular economy in the EU.
2.13.
The EESC believes that compostable packaging which is safe for contact with food is the most suitable solution, and plays a key role in ensuring more waste is biodegradable.
It would also decrease the amount of non-biodegradable plastics, which otherwise contaminate compost.
3.
Plastic packaging 3.1.
The UN has deemed oceanic plastic pollution ‘a planetary calamity’, mainly due to the amount of food packaging made of plastic that has found its way into rivers (3).
This raises concerns for all aquatic species.
3.2.
Member States will need to consider a new approach to plastics based on the circular economy.
They can promote the development of circular packaging choices by opting for other materials or specific polymer materials to ensure a much better level of recyclability.
When recyclability of plastics is not option, it should be used as generation for biofuel.
4.
Permanent materials, recycling data and issues with refill targets of alcoholic drink bottles 4.1.
Different food packaging materials have different characteristics and properties which affect their recyclability potential.
Materials such as aluminium, glass and steel are considered permanent materials, as they show minimal degradation during service life and can be endlessly recycled without losing quality or inherent material properties.
4.2.
Interest in permanent materials has grown significantly and in parallel with circular-economy thinking.
Such materials need to be properly recognised in future legislation, with future policies efficiently supporting recycling them.
4.3.
Fibre-based and other natural material-based packaging can support growth decoupled from resource use.
It is made from renewable materials, whilst being durable, attractive, recyclable and biodegradable.
Recent studies have indicated that fibre packaging can be recycled in excess of 25 times, demonstrating it is an essential component of the circular economy.
(3)
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25333710-100-pollution-is-the-forgotten-global-crisis-and-we-need-to-tackle-it-now/