What is EUROPEN’s vision and mandate?
EUROPEN has always been at the forefront when it comes to sustainability in packaging. We represent the entire packaging supply chain, from raw material manufacturers and packaging manufacturers to packers and fillers, and even packaging machinery manufacturers. Within our membership, we cover several value chains, including food, pharma and personal care, and a wide range of materials. Our role is to work together with all these different parts of the value chain to push for advancements in packaging sustainability.
What are the key challenges that the packaging industry is navigating in achieving its sustainability targets and adhering to environmental regulations?
EUROPEN has always been focused on packaging and environmental sustainability since its founding in 1993. The challenge is not so much about regulations tightening, but that evidence-based legislation is often overshadowed by ideology, which can lead to ineffective regulations and loopholes that prevent full harmonization of rules at European level. A concrete example is the introduction of unilateral packaging sorting instruction labels in France, which became a barrier to trade within the EU and provided minimal benefit to consumers.
The key challenge is ensuring sustainability goals are met while keeping packaging functional and preventing market barriers within the European Union.
What is EUROPEN's approach to advocating for evidence-based policymaking?
EUROPEN focuses on providing clear, evidence-based data to counteract the ideological approach that has influenced sustainability legislation. We aim to explain the manufacturing process, packaging shelf life, and the nuances of reuse versus single-use packaging.
For example, we emphasize that reuse is not always the better option compared to single use; it depends on the packaging application, transportation, and sanitization.
We also address the infrastructure required for reusable packaging, such as the take-back systems to be introduced in the large distribution and sanitization centers. Our goal is to ensure that legislation is based on facts, data, and science rather than emotions or ideologies. Ultimately, we need harmonized rules across the EU to avoid fragmented national legislation, which could hinder the circular economy and increase business costs without benefiting the environment.
How will Europe’s successful, integrated circular economy of the future look, and what is EUROPEN's strategy to achieve it?
A successful, integrated circular economy in Europe would involve fully recyclable packaging by 2030, as required by law. EUROPEN and the industry are committed to designing packaging that meets recyclability requirements, with the goal of ensuring all packaging is recycled at scale across Europe. However, to make this work, a functional waste management system is critical.
This involves infrastructure investment, effective collection, sorting, and recycling of packaging waste. Despite the progress in packaging design, there are concerns that many member states will not meet recycling targets, as two-thirds of them are at risk of falling short. Strengthening waste management systems is a priority, and EUROPEN advocates for national governments to take full responsibility for waste management and implement harmonized systems across Europe.
Many member states do not have effective waste management systems. What practical steps can national governments take to improve them and support a circular economy?
While municipalities play a role in supporting collection systems, the real change must come from national governments, which are often resistant to interference from the EU on waste management issues. The solution is achievable but requires courageous business and political leaders to speak up more about the importance of the single market and engage with their national ministries. This is not just about blaming politicians; industry and civil society, including NGOs, also needs to be more vocal in calling for harmonized waste management systems across Europe.
While there is potential for change, it must be embraced, and unfortunately, there is currently a lack of that leadership. The single market could be Europe's biggest strength in shielding us from geopolitical challenges, but it is still not fully functioning not only for services and capital, but also for goods, where we see an increase fragmentation caused by national rather than European legislation. Until we address these issues and achieve full integration of the single market, progress will remain slow.
