RECYCLABILITY

Recyclability is the first requirement for sustainable packaging.

A packaging is recyclable when it can be processed effectively and efficiently to allow the reuse of its cellulosic fibres through the most widely used paper production technologies.

The recyclability of a predominantly cellulosic packaging is not a foregone conclusion, for example, it must be tested, even in single-material solutions, that the glues and inks used are not an obstacle to the recycling process. In the same way, and all the more so, recyclability must be tested in the case of packaging which combines with other materials.

The growing interest of the consumer for the issues of sustainability of packaging pushes companies to a deepening on the recyclability of materials that therefore must be measured analytically through laboratory tests. Assessing the composition of packaging and its components and constituents is fundamental to designing and creating a packaging that is truly eco-sustainable and circular.

Source: Botta Packaging

The paper industry has identified methods of analysis for the determination of recyclability, the result of which allows producers and users of predominantly cellulosic materials or products to communicate to their customers the level of recyclability of materials or products, enhancing the characteristics of eco-sustainability.

The Aticelca 501/19 system is a voluntary evaluation method, carried out by Aticelca with the contribution of Assocarta, Assografici and Comieco and the technical support of Innovhub and Lucense, able to determine the level of recyclability of predominantly cellulosic materials and products (paper and cardboard), based on a laboratory analysis developed since 2011 and became standard UNI 11743:2019 in April 2019.

Reference

https://www.comieco.org/innovazione/  

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Campaign "Zero Waste"

CONAI supports the initiatives of the public campaign to prevent food waste "Waste zero", organized by the Waste Watcher Institute - International observatory on food and sustainability, for a common reflection on the quantities of food not consumed, which is thrown into the trash every day and raising awareness of good practices that can be adopted.

Sustainability and eco-design are increasingly the focus of research and debate for the new characteristics required for packaging: from the reduction of raw materials used to the opportunity to use recycled material, up to a design that ensures recyclability or composability.

The European legislation of the last two years encourages the sustainable development of packaging and companies, in turn, are moving towards increasingly innovative and efficient solutions, compatible with the key role of packaging. The pack must protect, keep the product during transport and encourage its optimal storage, but as soon as it is placed on the shelf it undoubtedly affects the choice of purchase and the perception of the brand by the consumer.

Source: Botta Packaging

But what affects the decision to buy a product, at first glance? The impact on the quality and safety of the product, from the origin of the raw materials to its origin is decisive for 9 out of 10 Italians (89%), and so the guarantees provided between certification and traceability (88%).

Packaging and its environmental characteristics are also factors affecting consumer purchasing choices (73% of respondents). The reason is probably to be found in the dynamics of the relationship between product and 'sustainability in the perception of consumers. The product is sustainable, first of all, if its packaging is recyclable (for 71% of respondents) or if it is made of recycled material (69%). What if a pack is not recyclable? 1 Italian out of 4 (25%) buys it the same; 47% buys it but not willingly; 22% changes its mind and focuses on a product with the recycled or recyclable packaging, 5% - 1 Italian out of 20 - in addition to not buying it also advises against the use in the circle of friends and family.

https://www.conai.org/notizie/campagna-spreco-zero/ 

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 The Open Recycling initiative

What happens after the dumpster? Who runs the recycling cycle? And what role do we all play?

The Open Recycling initiative was created to answer these questions.

Recycle Covered is in fact the annual event promoted by Comieco that since 2001 opens the doors of the plants of the paper and cardboard recycling chain to schools, citizens, institutions, media and all those who are interested in understanding, live watching the various stages of the industrial process, what happens to paper and cardboard once delivered in the appropriate containers.

Since 2001 Ricicloaperto shows the reality of paper and cardboard recycling by showing up the most important and less known aspects of the recycling cycle. A reality made up of paper, paper and recycling plants that every day work synergistically to give new life to paper, cardboard and cardboard that we have differentiated.

Source: Botta Packaging

The aim of this project is to educate the youngest - and not only - to a conscious use of resources, to discover the industrial value of paper and cardboard recycling, the professionalism and technologies of the sector, to reassure citizens about the usefulness of their daily commitment to separate collection.

The open doors of the paper and cardboard recycling chain that has already involved over 240,000 people: every year, on the occasion of the opening to the public of the facilities, we welcomed over 15,000 visitors.

Since 2021, thanks to the acceleration of technologies, Recyclableto also switch to digital: ready to bring the cycle of paper and cardboard recycling directly in schools, homes and companies.

Reference:

https://www.comieco.org/comunicazione-ed-eventi/eventi/ricicloaperto 

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STANDARD ON THE SEPARABILITY OF NON-PAPER COMPONENTS OF PAPER PACKAGING

The modern consumer is not only interested in packaging from an aesthetic point of view, but also that it is easily identifiable and recyclable.

This preference is noted by a Doxa study for Aticelca which shows that citizens/consumers are increasingly careful in making separate collection and willing to separate the different components of complex packaging, if they are put in the conditions to do so.

From the study, which was conducted in early 2021, on 1,000 Italian individuals between 18 and 85 years of age it emerged that when you throw a packaging made of different materials 95% is willing to separate and only 5% is not. Among those that separate 59% always separates the components of different materials. While 17% separates them, only if it can do it with the hands and 6% only if it is indicated in the package and 7% if it has the containers suitable for recycling. Finally, 6% separates the components only if they must be removed at the time of opening.

Citizens are therefore ready to play their part and expect packaging that is easy to break down.

Source:  Life cycle assessment from Botta Packaging

A working group was then set up to define a new Aticelca recycling standard which aims to define a method to measure the separability of non-paper components in paper packaging (such as handles and plastic windows).

The new standard therefore aims to improve the separate collection of paper packaging and thus further increase the recycling rate, to date, by 81%, facilitating the separation of paper from non-recyclable elements.

Further efforts in the quality of separate collection in our homes would therefore contribute to the achievement of the European recycling target of 85% by 2035, as defined by the EU.

Reference

https://www.comieco.org/consumatori-protagonisti-riciclo-qualita-separabilita/

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