European Flexible Packaging Industry Adopts Sustainability Vision

The members of Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE) have unanimously adopted a vision on sustainability at its first virtual conference in June. 

The vision reinforces the industry’s commitment to a common position on the circular economy.

The FPE represents the European flexible packaging industry, which has long been addressing the challenges of sustainable development. 

Flexible packaging mainly involves plastics which are often considered as 'problematic', resulting in the need to convince and reassure stakeholders about the key sustainability role flexible packaging already plays in Europe and how this will continue to develop and improve in the future.

This joint initiative involves market leaders and many small and medium-sized specialised converters. 

The Sustainability Vision is targeted at both the industry as well as other stakeholders such as customers, retailers, legislators, and NGOs.

It explains the intrinsic environmental and social benefits of flexible packaging and the efforts of the industry to mitigate any problems.

It summarises the approach and activities of the industry and how it is working actively towards achieving the goals set out in the vision.

The goals include designing flexible packaging for full effectiveness and minimum environmental footprint; circularity for flexible packaging; zero tolerance of leakage and littering into the environment; and speeding up progress with cooperation.

Guido Aufdemkamp, executive director of FPE said, commented, “I am delighted with FPE’s bold initiative to adopt this Sustainability Vision. The industry has always been aware it must play a positive role in mitigating climate change. 

"These actions demonstrate the proactive role it is taking. I am delighted the members have found common ground on this very important issue and how, therefore, the European industry is working together.”

To find out more about FPE’s sustainability vision, click here.