Climate change and environmental impact: summer 2023 the hottest in history

The circular economy concerns everyone, from individual citizens to the entire industrial sector. It represents a choice that is not only ethical and social but one that influences long-term business decisions, driven by the increasing sensitivity and awareness of the final consumer.  This is what emerged from the International Circular Economy Summit and The Innovation Alliance, which was held in May alongside Fiera Milano Ipack-Ima, Print4All, GreenPlast, and Intralogistica Italia. These successful, in-person trade fairs were united in showcasing the most innovative solutions for various industrial production sectors. At the same time, they addressed the looming challenges that the industrial world is called upon to face today: from the circular economy to Industry 4.0 A new concept of doing business Numerous corporate realities have currently chosen to embrace new production models and invest in the continuous training of their internal resources. This has led to manufacturing improvements aimed at safeguarding the planet's future and reducing the impact on upcoming generations. This new way of doing business, in order to accelerate change and definitively materialize, requires common standards, support from European and local legislation, and a greater level of culture and awareness. All of this is aimed at transforming production waste from a critical issue into an economic opportunity. As recalled by William Neale, DG Environment’s Directorate B-Circular Economy at the European Commission, this is a fresh approach, implemented in the first European Action Plan in 2015, which saw a significant increase in recycling targets. The next step focuses on the value chain: making sustainable products the norm in Europe rather than the exception, thereby standardizing the minimum requirements for a product's admission into the European market. Another crucial element is focusing on the digital product passport, with the aim of tracking all product data, thereby contributing to its recycling or repair and allowing its average lifespan to be extended. The National Strategy on Circular Economy and the National Waste Management Plan Promoting shared local policies and boosting recycling and waste management monitoring are the directions toward which NRRP-related funds are targeted, points out Laura D’Aprile, Head of the Department of Ecological Transition and Green Investment at the Italian Government's Ministry of Ecological Transition. In Italy, 2.5 billion euros have been allocated to support the circular economy, aiming to definitively bridge the gap between northern and southern regions by especially incentivizing proper waste management. Additionally, 600 million euros have been allocated to create specific disposal hubs for different sectors: electronic waste, paper and cardboard, plastics, and the textile sector. To encourage the construction of recycling plants that facilitate the achievement of European objectives, common criteria and strategic guidelines must be defined based on the targets for each individual region. Read also: Urban Waste Report 2021. The 3 pillars to grow the circular economy The speeches at the Summit highlighted the 3 fundamental pillars for the growth of the circular economy. It is necessary to focus on: Legislation: both in terms of cross-border waste trade and international management. Training: greater culture and shared awareness bring about better recycling management. Ecodesign: product sustainability starts at the very moment of its conception. Design must take into account product lifespans, aiming for greater durability, the possibility of reuse, and the future deployment of processing scraps. In this way, within a circular vision, waste materials from wine or chocolate, for instance, become the foundation for producing energy or innovative packaging. Innovation, sustainability, technology, and training: the pillars that have always distinguished our corporate reality. Stay updated on all our news and follow us on LINKEDIN.

December 16, 2024, marks a decisive turning point for the packaging sector: the Council formally adopted the new regulation on packaging and packaging waste. This regulatory innovation, detailed in the PPWR special by ItaliaImballaggio, represents the latest evolution for a sector that, throughout its entire lifecycle, is moving towards more responsible and sustainable management.   News on packaging regulations: towards safe, sustainable, and circular packaging. In this article, we will explore the changes introduced, the implications for different application sectors, and the key role that efficient packaging can play in a circular economy strategy. Discover how these rules can transform your business and how Cart-One stands as a strategic partner in this transition.   Read also: “CE marking of machinery: what changes with the EU/2023/1230 regulation”   Safe, sustainable, and recyclable packaging: the new requirements The new regulation provides a series of ambitious targets for 2030 and 2040, aimed at promoting packaging that reduces environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. Among the main requirements are: Recycled content: by 2040, single-use plastic bottles must contain up to 65% recycled material, a key milestone to reduce dependence on virgin raw materials. Weight and volume reduction: the new rules require minimizing both the weight and volume of packaging, eliminating superfluous wrapping and optimizing design to reduce waste. Limitation of hazardous substances: substances of concern will also be reduced, for example by limiting the placement on the market of packaging in contact with food products that contains PFAS above certain thresholds. Labeling and information: requirements regarding labeling and marking aim to make sorting and proper disposal of packaging easier for the consumer, facilitating more conscious purchasing choices.   Restrictions on single-use plastic packaging The regulation introduces specific measures to limit the use of single-use plastic, particularly targeting: Pre-packaged fruit and vegetable products, especially if the weight is less than 1.5 kg. Food and beverages served in hotels, bars, and restaurants, with special attention to individual portions of condiments, sauces, cream, and sugar. Small single-use cosmetic and personal hygiene products typical of the hospitality sector (for example, shampoo bottles or lotions). Ultra-lightweight plastic bags, those often provided in markets for bulk food items. These restrictions are designed to encourage the adoption of alternative materials and drastically reduce the amount of single-use plastic that ends up in landfills.   Reuse targets and refill obligations The regulation sets new binding reuse targets for 2030 and indicative targets for 2040, diversified depending on the type of packaging. For example, for packaging intended for transport and sale, a binding target of 40% is planned, while for grouped packaging the target is set at 10%. Furthermore, businesses operating in the take-away sector will be obliged to offer customers the option of using personal containers, allowing them to be filled with food and beverages at no additional cost. This measure not only favors reuse but also encourages more sustainable consumption behaviors.   The packaging lifecycle and the new regulatory vision Despite progress in recycling, the EU still records high packaging waste production: in 2022, nearly 186.5 kg of waste were generated per inhabitant, with 36 kg from plastic alone. This scenario highlights how the amount of waste exceeds that of recycled material, making an update to the regulatory framework essential. The proposal to revise Directive 94/62/EC, now transformed into a regulation (PPWR), was conceived to promote a transition towards a circular economy and to steer Europe towards climate neutrality. The European Parliament and the Council agreed on their positions and, following a provisional agreement reached on March 4, 2024, the regulation will enter into force 18 months after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.   The role of Cart-One in the transition towards innovative packaging In this evolving regulatory context, Cart-One confirms itself as a strategic partner for companies wishing to align with the new regulations and adopt cutting-edge packaging solutions. Our solutions offer: Safe and recyclable packaging: we design packaging that guarantees product protection and facilitates recycling, helping to reduce environmental impact. Design optimization: with Cart-One, it is possible to reduce the weight and volume of packaging, improving logistics efficiency and reducing transport and storage costs. Transparency and information: labels and markings compliant with the new standards allow for clear information on recycled content and the packaging lifecycle, making sorting and correct disposal easier for consumers. The new regulation on packaging and waste represents an important regulatory evolution, aimed at transforming the packaging sector into a model of safety, sustainability, and circularity. With ambitious goals and restrictive measures, Europe is charting the course toward a future where every stage of the packaging lifecycle will be optimized to reduce waste and environmental impacts.   Cart-One stands as the ideal partner for companies wishing to make this leap in quality, offering innovative, safe packaging solutions compliant with the new regulations. Are you ready to transform your packaging and lead the change toward a circular economy?   Contact us today to discover how we can help you create packaging that is a true competitive asset for your business.   You might also be interested in: “Food product labeling: what changes with the new MIMIT guidelines”

Firstly, we want to inform you of the purchase of Industries San Cayetano in the north east of Spain. This company is specialized in single high value packaging made of corrugated board or solid board. Innovative and customized packaging is one of their best strengths. Their products are well known in the fishing and frozen sector, in which they continue to be the market leader. This incorporation will allow us to improve our temperature controlled packaging, especially for the meat, food-processing, wine, fish and frozen sector. This added to the recent launch of the “single pass” digital printer, we are undoubtedly able to satisfy all our customer’s demands and needs. Secondly, the Hinojosa Group, at the end of July, closed the purchase of the paper manufacturing plant, Torrespapel in the north east of Spain. Our goal is to incorporate this as soon as possible in order to make it part of our supply chain of raw materials. To achieve this we will be investing in 40 new jobs. These two incorporations reinforce our strategic plan of a better customer focus as well as an improved integration of our supply chain. As a result, Hinojosa and its eleven plants in Spain is consolidated and is one of the fastest growing companies in Spain. This also reinforces the BBP’s presence in the Spanish territory which allows better service for its customers and at the same time strengthens the relationship with the partners of the alliance. Rubén MartínezManaging Partner of BBP, President of the Hinojosa Group