Reporting form superfluous packaging
Grouped packaging can be used to facilitate logistics and transport by producers and distributors, as well as transport by consumers. It is indeed impractical to carry several bottles at a time if they are not somehow held together.
The plastic films used for these group packaging are recyclable. They are generally made of polyethylene and are can be sorted in the blue PMD bag. They are recycled into new films in Belgium.
Several brands and supermarkets are currently developing alternatives to these films.
Some alternatives use less material, while others are reusable. For example, a number of supermarkets now offer small reusable crates for 6 bottles of beer, in addition to the large crates already available for 24 bottles.
In the coming years, the new European regulation on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) will impose restrictions on single-use plastic group packaging which should help accelerate the transition to better alternatives.
Grouping packaging can be used to facilitate in-store logistics, particularly during promotions. Thanks to this packaging, shelves can be restocked more quickly and waiting times at the checkout are reduced, which also lowers the cost of the final product for consumers.
The plastic films used for these group packaging are recyclable and can be sorted in the blue PMD bag.
Several brand owners and retailers are currently developing alternatives to these films. For example, some are opting for narrow plastic or paper packaging. This change can take time, as machines generally have to be adapted. For certain types of packaging, it is more difficult to find an alternative.
Some food products quickly lose their freshness or flavour once the packaging has been opened. To avoid consumer dissatisfaction and food waste, these products are often packaged individually. As explained above, food waste can generally has a greater environmental impact than packaging, since all the energy and raw materials used to produce food products are lost.
Moreover, for certain products consumers expect a certain level of convenience that only a packaging can provide. Think about small individual portions for children and small families, or portions that can be taken to school or on a walk.
The secondary packaging then has a logistical and practical function for the producer, distributor and consumer, as it is not convenient to transport individually wrapped biscuits or cookies one by one.
This packaging is most of the time recyclable: often a transparent polyethylene film, polypropylene film or a cardboard box.
Most distributors base their choice of packaging on tests or studies. The aim is to minimize food loss and waste, both in the store and at the consumer's home.
In some cases, packaging can reduce food waste sufficiently to offset its environmental impact. Recently, OVAM (Public Agency for Waste in Flanders) realized a study about the use of single-use packaging for different fruit and vegetables. The results are publicly available here.
Although most fruit and vegetable packaging is recyclable, various alternatives to eliminate or reuse packaging for fruit and vegetables are currently being studied.
Note that European regulation EU 2018/848 requires to avoid commingling of organic fruits and vegetables with non-organic fruits and vegetables, which can explain the use of packaging in some cases. Finally, in the coming years, the new European regulation on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) will impose restrictions on single-use plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables under 1.5kg.
Certain types of packaging, such as cardboard boxes or transport packaging, have standard shapes or volumes. When a product is shipped, the standard packaging size closest to that of the product should be used, but it may be larger than necessary.
Some e-commerce companies have already taken initiatives to reduce their packaging use, by stopping using additional packaging for the delivery of equipment that is already solidly packaged, such as household appliances.
In the coming years, the new European regulation on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) will impose restrictions on group, transport and e-commerce packaging such as a maximum empty space of 50% of the volume.
