Dyper fornece de 100 a 260 fraldas 100% biodegradáveis por semana aos assinantes e oferece coleta das unidades já utilizadas para realizar o descarte sustentável

A Schwarzkopf é a mais nova marca de beleza a se juntar a TerraCycle em uma iniciativa de reciclagem em larga escala.

In the roughly eight months since the Loop reusable packaging service has been up and running with pilot e-commerce consumers in select markets, there have been package design hiccups, retailer additions and product-line extensions. As an early adopter in Loop parent company TerraCycle’s home state of New Jersey, I’ve witnessed all of that firsthand. Now, I’m eager for the company to pull off its next planned U.S. milestone: integrating supermarket and drug store locations affiliated with The Kroger Co. and Walgreens into the business model, so customers can drop off empty containers more frequently, without having to ship back or find a UPS location to drop off the rather hefty tote used for deliveries. (Each easily can transport up to 20 or so items, depending on the assortment purchased.) If things go TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky’s way, West Coast stores from Kroger — its various brands including Dillons, Fred Meyer and Ralphs are in 35 states nationwide — will start accepting Loop container returns by mid-2020. East Coast customers will need to wait until the fall, when Walgreens plans to do the same. The idea is Loop accountholders will be able to return empty containers when and where it’s convenient to in-store bins. From there, TerraCycle will orchestrate transportation to facilities where they can be inspected, washed and sanitized prior to being refilled, Szaky said. "You can drop off the product, no matter where you bought it," Szaky told me, when we chatted about Loop’s progress late last year. Through a Loop spokesperson, Kroger and Walgreens declined to comment on their specific plans for the Loop service. Both went public with their Loop partnerships in May. TerraCycle Loop hopes to integrate in-store collection in the U.S. by the middle of 2020. Introduced in January 2019 to much fanfare at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Loop celebrated its first birthday last month, although the service only started delivering to consumers in its launch markets near Paris and New York in May. Its premise was simple: to carry only products that come in reusable, refillable bottles, jugs or cans. Those items are purchased online and delivered to the customer's doorstep via UPS. Loop is available to a "community of thousands" (TerraCycle doesn’t disclose exact numbers) in 10 U.S. states, and new consumer product brands are being added on an almost daily basis — ranging from pantry staples such as the dried chickpeas in my own cabinet to specialty nut butters to personal care items. Close to 150 unique products are available in both France and the United States, where the best-sellers include Häagen-Dazs ice cream (my favorite is the non-dairy coconut caramel blend it's testing), Tide detergent and Clorox wipes. Right now, Loop caters to customers who aren't afraid to spend a little extra on groceries or that have a craving for niche items that might not find their way onto mainstream store shelves. The prices themselves are higher than you would pay in-store for similar items, plus the deposits can add up quickly: I've only got six items at home right now, but my "active" deposit account has a balance of $41. Loop is acting as the bank for that money. Szaky told me that while the current Loop customer may skew high-end or eco-conscious, TerraCycle is seeking to create a mass-market appeal by adding products you'd find in your neighbor's pantry. The Kroger and Walgreen's relationships will be instrumental in making that happen, especially if they become active locally in every place possible. Kroger is the second-largest U.S. retailer and largest grocery supermarket company with more than 2,800 stores; Walgreens, which operates in all 50 states, had close to 9,300 locations as of August. That's an impressive physical footprint. Expansions into the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Japan and Australia are in the works starting in March and over the next two years in close collaboration with prominent retailers in those geographies including Tesco (UK) and Loblaw (Canada). As the service matures, more of these new markets intend to launch an integrated in-store/online version of Loop, with Japan and Australia likely to lead that charge, Szaky said.

The trouble with totes

While TerraCycle may be the primary corporate face of the Loop brand, the important role of retailers in scaling any reusable packaging model should not be downplayed. Partners like Kroger and Walgreens bring inventory and category management expertise, merchandising savvy, pricing know-how, logistics and e-commerce expertise and, of course, existing connections with everyday shoppers. The future role retailers will play in collection will be crucial, as Loop seeks to shrink the amount of time containers spend in the hands of consumers before they are returned and refilled. Right now, that period varies dramatically depending on the product category — on a monthly basis for ice cream, for example, or up to three months for shampoo. Mostly, it depends not just on how quickly a consumer uses up a given product but on whether they decide to wait until a tote is full before a return shipment. Our experience reinforces our belief that this is not just a trend that is going to come and go. One of Loop’s value propositions is that it can help brands better understand consumption habits as it reduces their dependence on single-use packaging. "In our model, we can report on repeat, refill, how long it takes, whether they take advantage of autorefill," said Heather Crawford, vice president of marketing and e-commerce at TerraCycle. Right now, however, it’s difficult to estimate how long containers sit empty in customers’ homes as they transfer items into other receptacles or as they wait to fill up a return tote — the only tote size right now is 19 inches by 16.5 inches by 16 inches. The cushiony inserts that hold the containers can be reconfigured to handle the different sizes and to accommodate the heavy cold pack that's used to transport frozen items before they melt. If there's ice cream in your order, you can only consolidate a half-dozen more items or so into the same shipment. And be careful when you're picking the tote up: An empty tote containing a cold pack weighs more than 15 pounds. Speaking from personal experience, I’ve managed to return just two batches of spent containers in the service’s iconic tote since May. That's in part because I live in a two-person household and I had a tough time finding items that I actually wanted to order — right after I signed up for Loop, my doctor prescribed a food elimination diet that bounced many of the plant-based products in the Loop inventory off my plate. But mostly, I felt guilty about the carbon emissions impact of dispatching a UPS delivery truck to pick up an almost-empty package. Ultimately, I opted for what I considered to be a more eco-friendly option: bringing my return tote to a UPS shipping location while I was out on another errand. But my experience isn’t unique and for some markets, notably Tokyo where people live in much smaller homes with far less storage space, TerraCycle is considering a smaller tote. Adding collection bins at retailers is also likely to reduce the reuse cycle, as consumers will be able to return containers far more frequently. Loop Haagen-Dazs is one of the best selling items on Loop. The shape of the pint jars are designed to withstand 100 cleaning cycles.

Nestle, Reinberger Nut Butter share early learnings

While the Loop products in the United States and France are different, the categories where shoppers are gravitating toward in Loop’s reusable containers are similar, including quick-turn grocery and pantry staples that generate the "highest volume of visible garbage," Crawford said. Loop also has helped generate interest in niche and specialty items, such as the various protein spreads sold by Reinberger Nut Butter, a small food company in the Philadelphia area that was less-than-impressed by its experience selling products through Amazon. Reinberger, which already distributed its mixed nut butter in reusable containers, changed its design to make it lighter and introduced single-nut lines unique to Loop, said Luke Rein, who manages production for the company. Its container isn’t entirely reusable — the aluminum lid needs to be handled differently because of the seal — but as sales grow, it’s addressing that issue. "Ideologically, this matches up well and is a good source of revenue," Rein said. According to Crawford, the average Loop order size is eight to 10 items (far less than what its big tote currently can handle). It’s adding brands on an almost daily basis, after they meet the company’s container design criteria. There have been some snafus with some products. For example, the initial containers for Tide's plant-based Purclean laundry detergent needed to be tweaked when the lids were found to leak, an issue that was annoying for me at home, as the detergent kept oozing down the side of the bottle onto my laundry room shelf. While the U.S. and French markets launched with about 80 products each, new regions likely will have at least 200 products at launch. In our model, we can report on repeat, refill, how long it takes, whether they take advantage of autorefill. At this time, no containers used in the U.S. or France have reached their maximum reuse potential, Crawford said, at which point they will be recycled or upcycled. That includes Nestle’s popular metal Häagen-Dazs ice cream containers, which posed a unique design challenge to the company, according to Steven Yeh, commercialization project manager for the Nestle ice cream team. The shape of the pint-ish-sized jars, designed to withstand 100 cleaning cycles, was rounded to make the ice cream easier to scoop and double-walled both for durability and to keep cold during the delivery process, Yeh said. (As already mentioned, Loop also includes a cold pack in its totes for frozen items.) It took six months to come up with the current container. Nestle’s experience with Loop so far is being used to inform its strategies and perceptions about consumer subscription models. It will test another edition of the reusable metal containers at more than 200 Häagen-Dazs ice cream boutiques across the U.S., where it hopes to allow customers to bring them back for refills, starting in New York. "Our experience reinforces our belief that this is not just a trend that is going to come and go," Yeh said. "It reinforces our commitment to a reusable container. We need to focus even more efforts on this."

Online shopping will only continue to gain momentum in the years to come, enticing consumers by offering them access to better prices, more selection and shorter shipping times. However, as the online shopping landscape becomes increasingly more congested, companies are pushed to innovate how they approach their e-commerce business, specifically focusing on how to adapt to meet the needs of shoppers around the world.   A survey by Futerra of more than 1,000 consumers in the U.S. and UK revealed that 96 percent of people feel their own actions, such as donating, recycling, or buying ethically, can make a difference. It should come as no surprise that 88 percent of these consumers are searching for, and want brands, to help them make a difference. This confirms what we already knew – brands have a key role to play in changing consumer behavior.   One major environmental concern as a result of a booming eCommerce landscape? Most obviously, an increase in the global carbon footprint due to a rise in the number of shipments made daily. Among other consequences, the use of plastic and nonrecyclable materials. In attempts to combat this, the P&G Fabric Care eCommerce Innovation Group has reimagined its more than 50-year-old detergent by designing Tide Eco-Box – a package focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities that the eCommerce environment presents, specifically focusing on the four key consumer interactions: unboxing, preparation, use and disposal.   To soften the environmental impact of shipping liquid in eCommerce, the Tide Eco-Box contains an ultra-concentrated formula that provides a lighter shipping footprint by arriving as a shipping-safe cardboard box, eliminating the need for secondary boxing or bubble wrap. It also streamlines plastic use – if everyone that bought 96 loads in a plastic bottle switched to the Tide Eco-Box, we could save 1,4000 tons of plastic annually (enough to cover 5,000 football fields).   Tide Eco-Box is also designed to efficiently go from P&G, to the user’s home, to the recycler to be formed and filled again, all without the extra packaging and bubble wrap of a typical bottle. The design ultimately requires 25 percent fewer delivery trucks for e-retailers to deliver the same number of loads.   Additional Tide Eco-Box features include:   §  Tide’s Eco-box revolutionary packaging is created with 60 percent less plastic and 30 percent less water; §  The concentrated Tide detergent formula is made with 100 percent wind power electricity and designed to clean in energy-saving cold water cycles; §  Tide Eco-box is 100 percent recyclable through a partnership with Terra-Cycle; §  The Eco-Box contains an ultra-compacted formula, which cleans the same number of loads with 30 percent less water weight; §  Because Tide Eco-Box contains less water, the Eco-Box weighs less than today’s bottle with an equivalent number of loads (*vs Tide Original liquid laundry detergent in a 150oz. bottle); §  Shipping-safe packaging helps prevent laundry detergent liquid leaks on the way to consumer homes and provides a lighter shipping footprint by eliminating layers of packaging; and §  No-Drip twist tap and stand to raise the box and allow for clean, easy detergent dispensing and a ramp inside the box to help you use every drop of detergent.   As we know, brands have an opportunity to mold and shape consumer behavior. Tide Eco-Box is an example of a breakthrough in eCommerce design that should be used to inspire and encourage other companies.

Cool, CA – NorCalUltras is excited to announce its continuing sponsorship with GU Energy Labs for the 12^th year. This long-time partnership has supported the Way too Cool 50K and American River 50 Mile Endurance Run, which are two of the most premier endurance events in the U.S.   “We are thrilled to partner with the leader in race nutrition,” said NorCalUltras Race Director, Julie Fingar. “We believe in providing the best race fuel for our runners, which is why we provide GU gels and ROCTANE Energy Drink at all aid stations for both WTC50K and AR50.”   On Saturday, March 7, 2020, more than 800 ultra runners will travel from around the globe to race in the 31^st Annual The Way Too Cool 50K Endurance Run (WTC50K). The 50K race is known as one of the most popular trail and ultra-running endurance events in the U.S. Runners compete at Olympic levels to beat their personal and race record course times.   “GU Energy Labs is proud to be long time supporters of Way Tool Cool and American River 50,” said GU Energy Labs Experiential Marketing Manager, Allison Foster. “Still family owned and located in Berkeley, CA, we are thrilled to say we have been fueling racers for over 25 years!”   This year, GU Energy Labs is adding their TerraCycle Pledge to the partnership with WTC50K and AR50. GU works with TerraCycle to convert nutrition wrappers from all brands into tools, park benches, and more. Both races have taken GU’s TerraCycle pledge to work to keep the race trails pristine.   “Together we will collect and ship all sports nutrition wrappers from on course to TerraCycle,” said Foster.   For more information about NorCalUltras visit www.norcalultras.com, and learn more about GU Energy Labs visit www.guenergy.com.   ABOUT NORCALULTRAS NorCalUltras is Northern California’s premiere ultrarunning event management company. NorCalUltras trail races are renowned for providing runners with first class experience from start to finish. Each endurance race features excellent, well-marked courses, a professionally organized race team, top of the line swag and remarkable post-race festivities. For more information visit www.norcalultras.com.   ABOUT GU ENERGY LABS GU Energy Labs strives to help athletes to reach their highest potential with products that deliver the right nutrients, in the right amounts, at the right time. Developed in collaboration with Olympians and age groupers alike, the GU nutrition matrix of Hydration, Energy and Recovery products has helped countless athletes achieve their dreams since its inception in 1993. Headquartered in Berkeley, GU Energy Labs produces all of its Energy Gels onsite with just the right blend of heart and science. Recommit to becoming your best athletic self, learn more about GU products, and discover how nutrition planning can help you get there at www.guenergy.com.  

The first edition of the forum organized by UCIMA and the FICO Foundation registered 450 participants from 20 countries, 35 international speakers and 40 accredited journalists. The second edition has been confirmed.   The packaging world responded positively to the call of Packaging Speaks Green, the international forum in Bologna, Italy, dedicated to sustainability in the packaging sector, organized by UCIMA and the FICO Foundation. Two days of debates, discussions and proposals on the need to make the packaging industry more sustainable, with 35 speakers from all continents, 450 participants from 20 countries and 40 accredited journalists.    The need for a new production system emerged universally during the forum; a new production system to be included within a wider scope, which includes technology and research oriented towards reusable, recyclable and compostable materials, consumer education and new global policies. A need that can no longer be postponed, also in light of the climate change we are witnessing, as recalled by Tim Letts of the WWF.   The sector is therefore moving towards intelligent, digital and flexible packaging, which meets the needs of consumers more sensitive to green issues; packaging that provides companies that invest in sustainability with a fundamental economic return (at least in the long term), so that they can adopt the new systems. In the first part of the forum, dedicated to legislation and society, an overview on the consumption situation related to packaging was given by Silvia Zucconi (Market intelligence manager at Nomisma), Nicola De Carne (Retailer client business partner at Nielsen) and Paolo Spranzi (Associate Partner at McKinsey). Nomisma examined the Italian and international markets by carrying out an exclusive survey for the forum, focused on the United States and Germany. “In terms of sustainability – explained Zucconi – Italy boasts an overall better performance than the European average. However, all the countries taken into consideration by the study share certain values such as attention to the green characteristics of the packaging, the attitude not to buy products with too much packaging and the search for packs with reduced dimensions. “The greatest challenge is to provide everyone with food by 2050, and we must do it reducing the environmental impact. Poor quality packaging leads to food loss. Plastic packaging guarantees fresh and better quality products, therefore in the coming years we must develop increasingly greener materials. The materials exist so we need to develop innovative food systems starting from the reduction of food loss and increase in efficiency” says Rosa Rolle, FAO manager. In the second part of the forum, the floor was given to Retailers and Brand Owners including Giacomo Canali (Packaging Research Manager at Barilla) and Roman Manthey (Global Supply Chain Engineering & Infrastructure Director at Coca-Cola Bottling). A reduction in the use of packaging materials, the use of recyclable materials and cardboard from responsibly managed forests were the highlights discussed by Canali, who also underlined the importance of consumer education. Manthey added “We strongly believe in the circular economy and our goal is to have 100% recyclable plastic bottles. We are already eliminating all unnecessary or not easily recyclable packaging from our range”. Coop presented its multi-year “Coop for the environment” project, confirming its commitment to sustainability, in line with its history and values. A testimony to their philosophy that does not consist of sporadic actions based solely on consumer sentiment, but which is based on the implementation of real actions throughout the production chain. “The challenge for a more sustainable world is open,” explains Michele Frascaroli, Technical Director at CRIT – “and machinery manufacturers are already fully involved in this challenge. All major players are working to provide increasingly sustainable approaches and solutions. Some are already on the market, others are under study and will be presented in a few years. This is one of the factors that make up a circle of sustainable innovation which, in addition to being connected to the research and development of technology, also concerns corporate sustainability, knowledge of materials, collaboration with the producers of the materials and customer relations.” The managers of international companies such as Amcor, Novamont, NatureWorks, TerraCycle, Herambiente and Aliplast closed the first edition of Packaging Speaks Green and presented materials, technologies and scenarios to reduce the environmental impact starting from innovative solutions.

The first edition of the forum organized by UCIMA and the FICO Foundation registered 450 participants from 20 countries, 35 international speakers and 40 accredited journalists. The second edition has been confirmed.   The packaging world responded positively to the call of Packaging Speaks Green, the international forum in Bologna, Italy, dedicated to sustainability in the packaging sector, organized by UCIMA and the FICO Foundation. Two days of debates, discussions and proposals on the need to make the packaging industry more sustainable, with 35 speakers from all continents, 450 participants from 20 countries and 40 accredited journalists.    The need for a new production system emerged universally during the forum; a new production system to be included within a wider scope, which includes technology and research oriented towards reusable, recyclable and compostable materials, consumer education and new global policies. A need that can no longer be postponed, also in light of the climate change we are witnessing, as recalled by Tim Letts of the WWF.   The sector is therefore moving towards intelligent, digital and flexible packaging, which meets the needs of consumers more sensitive to green issues; packaging that provides companies that invest in sustainability with a fundamental economic return (at least in the long term), so that they can adopt the new systems. In the first part of the forum, dedicated to legislation and society, an overview on the consumption situation related to packaging was given by Silvia Zucconi (Market intelligence manager at Nomisma), Nicola De Carne (Retailer client business partner at Nielsen) and Paolo Spranzi (Associate Partner at McKinsey). Nomisma examined the Italian and international markets by carrying out an exclusive survey for the forum, focused on the United States and Germany. “In terms of sustainability – explained Zucconi – Italy boasts an overall better performance than the European average. However, all the countries taken into consideration by the study share certain values such as attention to the green characteristics of the packaging, the attitude not to buy products with too much packaging and the search for packs with reduced dimensions. “The greatest challenge is to provide everyone with food by 2050, and we must do it reducing the environmental impact. Poor quality packaging leads to food loss. Plastic packaging guarantees fresh and better quality products, therefore in the coming years we must develop increasingly greener materials. The materials exist so we need to develop innovative food systems starting from the reduction of food loss and increase in efficiency” says Rosa Rolle, FAO manager. In the second part of the forum, the floor was given to Retailers and Brand Owners including Giacomo Canali (Packaging Research Manager at Barilla) and Roman Manthey (Global Supply Chain Engineering & Infrastructure Director at Coca-Cola Bottling). A reduction in the use of packaging materials, the use of recyclable materials and cardboard from responsibly managed forests were the highlights discussed by Canali, who also underlined the importance of consumer education. Manthey added “We strongly believe in the circular economy and our goal is to have 100% recyclable plastic bottles. We are already eliminating all unnecessary or not easily recyclable packaging from our range”. Coop presented its multi-year “Coop for the environment” project, confirming its commitment to sustainability, in line with its history and values. A testimony to their philosophy that does not consist of sporadic actions based solely on consumer sentiment, but which is based on the implementation of real actions throughout the production chain. “The challenge for a more sustainable world is open,” explains Michele Frascaroli, Technical Director at CRIT – “and machinery manufacturers are already fully involved in this challenge. All major players are working to provide increasingly sustainable approaches and solutions. Some are already on the market, others are under study and will be presented in a few years. This is one of the factors that make up a circle of sustainable innovation which, in addition to being connected to the research and development of technology, also concerns corporate sustainability, knowledge of materials, collaboration with the producers of the materials and customer relations.” The managers of international companies such as Amcor, Novamont, NatureWorks, TerraCycle, Herambiente and Aliplast closed the first edition of Packaging Speaks Green and presented materials, technologies and scenarios to reduce the environmental impact starting from innovative solutions.

The first edition of the forum organized by UCIMA and the FICO Foundation registered 450 participants from 20 countries, 35 international speakers and 40 accredited journalists   February 28, 2020 Canadian Packaging         The packaging world responded positively to the call of Packaging Speaks Green, the international forum dedicated to sustainability in the packaging sector, organized by UCIMA and the FICO Foundation. Two days of debates, discussions and proposals on the need to make the packaging industry more sustainable, with 35 speakers from all continents, 450 participants from twenty countries and 40 accredited journalists.   The need for a new production system emerged universally during the forum; a new production system to be included within a wider scope, which includes technology and research oriented towards reusable, recyclable and compostable materials, consumer education and new global policies. A need that can no longer be postponed, also in light of the climate change we are witnessing, as recalled by Tim Letts of the WWF.   The sector is therefore moving towards intelligent, digital and flexible packaging, which meets the needs of consumers more sensitive to green issues; packaging that provides companies that invest in sustainability with a fundamental economic return (at least in the long term), so that they can adopt the new systems.   In the first part of the forum, dedicated to legislation and society, an overview on the consumption situation related to packaging was given by Silvia Zucconi (Market intelligence manager at Nomisma), Nicola De Carne (Retailer client business partner at Nielsen) and Paolo Spranzi (Associate Partner at McKinsey). Nomisma examined the Italian and international markets by carrying out an exclusive survey for the forum, focused on the United States and Germany. “In terms of sustainability – explained Zucconi – Italy boasts an overall better performance than the European average. However, all the countries taken into consideration by the study share certain values such as attention to the green characteristics of the packaging, the attitude not to buy products with too much packaging and the search for packs with reduced dimensions”.   “The greatest challenge is to provide everyone with food by 2050, and we must do it reducing the environmental impact. Poor quality packaging leads to food loss. Plastic packaging guarantees fresh and better quality products, therefore in the coming years we must develop increasingly greener materials. The materials exist so we need to develop innovative food systems starting from the reduction of food loss and increase in efficiency” stated Rosa Rolle, FAO manager.   In the second part of the forum, the floor was given to Retailers and Brand Owners including Giacomo Canali (Packaging Research Manager at Barilla) and Roman Manthey (Global Supply Chain Engineering & Infrastructure Director at Coca-Cola Bottling).   A reduction in the use of packaging materials, the use of recyclable materials and cardboard from responsibly managed forests were the highlights discussed by Canali, who also underlined the importance of consumer education. Manthey added “We strongly believe in the circular economy and our goal is to have 100% recyclable plastic bottles. We are already eliminating all unnecessary or not easily recyclable packaging from our range”.   Coop presented its multi-year “Coop for the environment” project, confirming its commitment to sustainability, in line with its history and values. A testimony to their philosophy that does not consist of sporadic actions based solely on consumer sentiment, but which is based on the implementation of real actions throughout the production chain.   “The challenge for a more sustainable world is open – explained Michele Frascaroli, Technical Director at CRIT – and machinery manufacturers are already fully involved in this challenge. All major players are working to provide increasingly sustainable approaches and solutions. Some are already on the market, others are under study and will be presented in a few years. This is one of the factors that make up a circle of sustainable innovation which, in addition to being connected to the research and development of technology, also concerns corporate sustainability, knowledge of materials, collaboration with the producers of the materials and customer relations”.   The managers of international companies such as Amcor, Novamont, NatureWorks, TerraCycle, Herambiente and Aliplast closed the first edition of Packaging Speaks Green and presented materials, technologies and scenarios to reduce the environmental impact starting from innovative solutions.   “Packaging Speaks Green has proven to be a cornerstone for the green turning point in industrial production, right from this very first edition – declared the president of the FICO Foundation Andrea Segrè. The FICO Foundation deals with sustainability at different levels, from agri-food production to the end-of-life of food and the products that enter our homes: the green packaging issue is strategic and falls within the objectives of the UN Agenda 2030. This is why we look with confidence to a new edition of the Forum, to raise the awareness of manufacturers, retailers, stakeholders and citizens on sustainability”.   Enrico Aureli, president of UCIMA closed the forum and announced “After the success of this first edition, we will repeat the forum on an annual basis. UCIMA will also organise a permanent observatory, on innovative materials and the most suitable technologies to use them, open to the contribution of all public and private players”.   The event was sponsored by some of the top companies in the sector of packaging and packaging machine manufacturers: Coesia, IMA, Marchesini Group, Robopac-Ocme, Sacmi and Tetra Pak. Also supporting the event, alongside these international names, were Herambiente and AliPlast, as well as Ipack-IMA, one of the world’s leading fairs for food/non-food processing and packaging, which will be back in Milan from 4 – 7 May 2021.   Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to the most countries in the world and leader in business travel, was the Official Airline Partner of Packaging Speaks Green, supporting this B2B event dedicated to sustainability.   The media partners of the Forum were FoodDev Media, Global Retail Brands, Italy Packaging, Pack Media and Pop Economy.   The event was organized under the patronage of the Ministry of the Environment and of Land and Sea Protection.

The first edition of the forum organized by UCIMA and the FICO Foundation registered 450 participants from 20 countries, 35 international speakers and 40 accredited journalists   February 28, 2020 Canadian Packaging       The packaging world responded positively to the call of Packaging Speaks Green, the international forum dedicated to sustainability in the packaging sector, organized by UCIMA and the FICO Foundation. Two days of debates, discussions and proposals on the need to make the packaging industry more sustainable, with 35 speakers from all continents, 450 participants from twenty countries and 40 accredited journalists.   The need for a new production system emerged universally during the forum; a new production system to be included within a wider scope, which includes technology and research oriented towards reusable, recyclable and compostable materials, consumer education and new global policies. A need that can no longer be postponed, also in light of the climate change we are witnessing, as recalled by Tim Letts of the WWF.   The sector is therefore moving towards intelligent, digital and flexible packaging, which meets the needs of consumers more sensitive to green issues; packaging that provides companies that invest in sustainability with a fundamental economic return (at least in the long term), so that they can adopt the new systems.   In the first part of the forum, dedicated to legislation and society, an overview on the consumption situation related to packaging was given by Silvia Zucconi (Market intelligence manager at Nomisma), Nicola De Carne (Retailer client business partner at Nielsen) and Paolo Spranzi (Associate Partner at McKinsey). Nomisma examined the Italian and international markets by carrying out an exclusive survey for the forum, focused on the United States and Germany. “In terms of sustainability – explained Zucconi – Italy boasts an overall better performance than the European average. However, all the countries taken into consideration by the study share certain values such as attention to the green characteristics of the packaging, the attitude not to buy products with too much packaging and the search for packs with reduced dimensions”.   “The greatest challenge is to provide everyone with food by 2050, and we must do it reducing the environmental impact. Poor quality packaging leads to food loss. Plastic packaging guarantees fresh and better quality products, therefore in the coming years we must develop increasingly greener materials. The materials exist so we need to develop innovative food systems starting from the reduction of food loss and increase in efficiency” stated Rosa Rolle, FAO manager.   In the second part of the forum, the floor was given to Retailers and Brand Owners including Giacomo Canali (Packaging Research Manager at Barilla) and Roman Manthey (Global Supply Chain Engineering & Infrastructure Director at Coca-Cola Bottling).   A reduction in the use of packaging materials, the use of recyclable materials and cardboard from responsibly managed forests were the highlights discussed by Canali, who also underlined the importance of consumer education. Manthey added “We strongly believe in the circular economy and our goal is to have 100% recyclable plastic bottles. We are already eliminating all unnecessary or not easily recyclable packaging from our range”.   Coop presented its multi-year “Coop for the environment” project, confirming its commitment to sustainability, in line with its history and values. A testimony to their philosophy that does not consist of sporadic actions based solely on consumer sentiment, but which is based on the implementation of real actions throughout the production chain.   “The challenge for a more sustainable world is open – explained Michele Frascaroli, Technical Director at CRIT – and machinery manufacturers are already fully involved in this challenge. All major players are working to provide increasingly sustainable approaches and solutions. Some are already on the market, others are under study and will be presented in a few years. This is one of the factors that make up a circle of sustainable innovation which, in addition to being connected to the research and development of technology, also concerns corporate sustainability, knowledge of materials, collaboration with the producers of the materials and customer relations”.   The managers of international companies such as Amcor, Novamont, NatureWorks, TerraCycle, Herambiente and Aliplast closed the first edition of Packaging Speaks Green and presented materials, technologies and scenarios to reduce the environmental impact starting from innovative solutions.   “Packaging Speaks Green has proven to be a cornerstone for the green turning point in industrial production, right from this very first edition – declared the president of the FICO Foundation Andrea Segrè. The FICO Foundation deals with sustainability at different levels, from agri-food production to the end-of-life of food and the products that enter our homes: the green packaging issue is strategic and falls within the objectives of the UN Agenda 2030. This is why we look with confidence to a new edition of the Forum, to raise the awareness of manufacturers, retailers, stakeholders and citizens on sustainability”.   Enrico Aureli, president of UCIMA closed the forum and announced “After the success of this first edition, we will repeat the forum on an annual basis. UCIMA will also organise a permanent observatory, on innovative materials and the most suitable technologies to use them, open to the contribution of all public and private players”.   The event was sponsored by some of the top companies in the sector of packaging and packaging machine manufacturers: Coesia, IMA, Marchesini Group, Robopac-Ocme, Sacmi and Tetra Pak. Also supporting the event, alongside these international names, were Herambiente and AliPlast, as well as Ipack-IMA, one of the world’s leading fairs for food/non-food processing and packaging, which will be back in Milan from 4 – 7 May 2021.   Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to the most countries in the world and leader in business travel, was the Official Airline Partner of Packaging Speaks Green, supporting this B2B event dedicated to sustainability.   The media partners of the Forum were FoodDev Media, Global Retail Brands, Italy Packaging, Pack Media and Pop Economy.   The event was organized under the patronage of the Ministry of the Environment and of Land and Sea Protection

Most things we buy today are wrapped in plastic, shipped in cardboard, and protected by styrofoam, but as more people become concerned about packaging, businesses are stepping in to provide alternatives. Still, some experts don’t think buying greener products will solve the world’s trash problems.  

The Struggle of Eco-Conscious Consumers 

Madelyn Miller has been bringing reusable bags to the grocery store for decades, way before it was cool. Over time, she’s seen an increasing amount of plastic on store shelves. At her home in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, she searches around the refrigerator, “Here we go, my ricotta — I love ricotta cheese,” Miller said, pulling out the plastic tub. But she doesn’t always feel good when she buys ricotta, cottage cheese, or yogurt. “Almost the entire dairy aisle is full of plastic containers,” she said. Miller worries that these plastics are creating a waste stream, much of which can’t be recycled. Plus, they’re made from fossil fuels, so their production contributes to climate change. She does what she can to discourage its use. As she was getting ready for a recent trip to California to visit her grandchildren, she wanted to bring them something, so she bought a membership to the zoo, because she said, it won’t wind up as plastic pollution in the ocean. “I think it’s terrifying,” Miller said. “What we’re giving to our children is a legacy of sea animals. They’re ingesting these plastics, it’s killing them.” But to prepare for her trip, she stacked twenty small plastic containers of cat food on the kitchen counter. She knows it’s more packaging than necessary, but it’s convenient. “For my neighbor who’s coming in to help feed the cats, it makes it easier for her. Plastics make life easier,” she admits.

Movement Toward Greener Packaging

New markets are opening up for environmentally-friendly packaging, as market analysts predict a five year growth of $70 billion for packaging that uses less energy and more recycled materials. For consumers, just Googling “alternative packaging,” brings targeted ads for things like toothpaste tablets sold in a glass jars, liquid soap in a cardboard box, and toilet paper rolls wrapped only in paper. Tom Szaky, CEO of a company called Loop, has been working with big brands like Tide detergent and Häagen-Dazs ice cream to redesign their packaging. “So for example your ice cream container now moves from being coated paper to double-layered stainless steel that is beautiful, reusable and more functional,” he said. People can buy these products at certain stores, in certain markets, or they can order on Loop’s website, and have them delivered in a special tote. Once the products are used up, people put the empty containers back in the tote, to be picked up and returned to Loop. “We clean it and provide it back to these manufacturers who refill them and around they go again,” he explained. Szaky said Loop is providing the convenience people are used to, without the disposability that can harm the environment. “This approach,” he said, “…we think is the silver bullet to get a large number of people to move away from a throw-away single-use lifestyle.” Loop is adding new products to its line every couple of days, according to Szaky. Loop is currently available in Paris, and some northeastern states including Pennsylvania. “I absolutely agree that that is a fabulous idea,” said Sarah Taylor, when she first heard about Loop. She’s a professor of environmental policy at Northwestern University, and author of a recently published book, “Ecopiety: Green Media and the Dilemma of Environmental Virtue.” Its main theme is that we can’t buy our way out of problems like trash and climate change.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Taylor says people get obsessed with small decisions. She knows, because she’s always asked about pressing personal choices, like, “So what do I do with my cat litter?” she laughed. “Should I use the plastic bags from the grocery store because I’m using them for my cat litter?” Taylor doesn’t want to be misinterpreted, she supports trying to buy ecologically-sound products. But instead of beating ourselves up about using a few plastic cat food containers, we should focus on the bigger picture. “The climate clock is ticking, it is ticking. So where is our action going to be more effective?” she asked. Taylor’s pushing for a focus on policy changes, like the plastic bag bans in Europe, some Asian countries and US cities. These changes are what she thinks will shift markets toward greener options. “I would say banning single use plastic would then support companies like Loop, or companies that provide these kinds of reusable packaging, so that they don’t have to fight the consumer culture upstream,” Taylor said. “They don’t just have to market to the eco-virtuous.” Because what’s really virtuous, according to Taylor, is pushing companies to make it easier for all consumers to do less damage to the environment.