The Global Protocol on Packaging Sustainability
European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011 1
Julian CarrollManaging Director
EUROPEN
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Reasons for the project
European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011
Sustainability is an essential element of business strategy
• But…• Varying perspectives and levels of understanding of sustainability• Use of different metrics to measure sustainability
Packaging is critical to this strategy
• Packaging protects, preserves, promotes the product.• But…• Consumers perceive over-packaging as a key concern• NGOs and Government view packaging as a key focus area when
targeting potential gains to sustainability and a positive impact on the environment
Consistent measures of sustainability reduce complexity,
costs & enable better results
• Better co-ordinated industry action to address the issues around packaging takes out unnecessary costs, inefficient responses and potential consumer confusion
• Consumers want consistency of information• Industry needs a common business language and commonly
used metrics to address packaging sustainability
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Deliverables
European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011
Guidance on how to improve sustainability of packaging, covering…
Role of Packaging
Common definitions and principles
Packaging sustainability indicators and metrics
Common language to measure the sustainability of packaging
…enabling• Better internal decision making • Better trading partner dialogue on packaging improvements
Common understanding of packaging’s contribution to sustainability
Common understanding of what sustainability means for packaging
The Global Packaging Project is based on the EUROPEN/ECR Europe guide «Packaging in the Sustainability Agenda – a guide for corporate decision-makers» and the indicators and metrics framework of the US Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC).
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Retailers Manufacturers Associations
Packaging manufacturers
Academic/ Consultant Support
•Quantis•GreenBlue•Innventia•University of Arkansas•University of Minnesota•University of Manchester•Rochester Institute of Technology
European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011
Common industry sustainability language, measures and protocols
How Packaging Can Contribute to Improving Sustainability
The Principles ofSustainability
The Role of Packaging
Framework: The Holistic View
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Finding balance
• The optimal package has the right balance between under- and over-packaging.
Negativeenvironmental
impact
Increasingpackaging
material useMinimum material
OverpackagingUnderpackaging
Optimum Pack Design
Minimumenvironmental
impact
Diagram courtesy of Innventia AB6European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011
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The GPPS FrameworkEstablishes the principles on
which the GPPS is based
Explains the role of packaging
Gives background information
Provides a common language for discussing sustainability
European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011
1. Presents the selected metrics and how to use them
2. Includes descriptions, definitions, and examples
3. Gives links and references to relevant existing metrics, methods, and databases
Protocol
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The approach
Develop a basket of commonly used metrics to facilitate business discussions throughout the value chain about the sustainability of packaging systems
Use pre-existing internationally recognised metrics where these exist
Include Environmental, Social and Economic metrics
Build on existing work
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Benefits
European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011
Clear definition of sustainability
Holistic approach to Packaging
Unified approach from industry to sustainability metrics
Cost reduction
Reduced sustainability impacts
Improved consumer perception
Improved decision making
Demonstrate industry-wide leadership for: Others to emulate Applying the model to achieve other
common goals
Globally applicable definition of common packaging sustainability
indicators and metrics
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GPPS Potential Applications
European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011
To inform internal decision making
To allow communication between business partners
To facilitate communication with other stakeholders
To provide overall packaging systems evaluations
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Enabling Different Levels of Business Decisions
European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011
Examples of Analysis
Level 1 Simple analysis, single indicator eg pack weight
Level 2 Optimization analysis for a functional unit using multiple indicators
Level 3 Comparative analysis of one or more packaging formats/material for same functional unit
Level 4 Full system design and analysis to compare packaging formats/material with information on product
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GPPS Communication Role
European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011
Can be for Internal or external Communication
For use in marketing or corporate reporting
External communication will require higher level of accuracy, documentation and transparency of data
Observe existing international guidelines for comparative assertions intended for public disclosure eg ISO LCA Standard, ISO Labels and Declaration Standard, FTC Guidelines
GPPS does not replace existing standards
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The GPPS package http://globalpackaging.mycgforum.com/
Where to get it
European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011
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