CONAI environmental contribution: what’s new for 2022

The Suez Canal, one of the most crucial waterways in the world, is currently at the center of a crisis that is significantly affecting global trade. Suez Canal crisis: the agri-food sector also pays the consequences. Military actions by the Yemeni Houthis have caused damage to commercial vessels and are jeopardizing international trade routes. In particular, the agri-food sector is among the hardest hit, with repercussions extending all the way to Italy. Read also: “Climate change and environmental impact: summer 2023 the hottest in history” The current situation in the Suez Canal The Yemeni armed group Houthi has entered the conflict between Israel and Palestine, attacking commercial vessels in the Suez Canal. While the Israeli defense system repelled Yemeni missiles during the conflict, commercial ships have sustained severe damage. Shipping giants like BP and MSC have suspended navigation in the area, causing a significant drop in the number of vessels crossing the canal. Impact on the Italian and global economy Tensions in the Suez Canal can have major implications for the Italian economy. The Suez Canal handles over 12% of world trade and over 40% of Italian maritime trade. In 2022, this value stood at 82.8 billion euros, with the transit being vital for Italian exports to Japan, China, India, and the Middle East. Risks for the fruit and vegetable sector The consequences of the crisis are also reflected in the Italian fruit and vegetable sector. Fruit exports to the Far and Middle East have suffered significant delays, with transit times increasing and transport costs rising. The Italian agri-food industry, which exported over 217 million kilograms of fruit last year, risks facing substantial losses. Future outlook and trade adaptations Trade operators are considering a revision of transport routes, anticipating longer journeys and increased costs. The closure of the Suez Canal has already caused a traffic reduction in the Red Sea, with potential negative effects on Italian ports such as Gioia Tauro, Taranto, Brindisi, Trieste, and Genoa. Operation Prosperity Guardian and operator doubts The United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to ensure the safety of commercial vessels, but over 130 ships have preferred to circumnavigate Africa instead. Shipping lines, such as Maersk, MSC, and Hapag-Lloyd, are applying surcharges due to the additional costs resulting from route diversions. Economic impacts of the 2021 Suez Canal blockage The blockage of the Suez Canal in 2021, caused by the grounding of the ship Ever Given, demonstrated the significant impacts on world trade. Estimated economic losses during the six days of the blockage amounted to billions of dollars, highlighting the vulnerability of key trade routes. In conclusion, the crisis in the Suez Canal is already causing notable repercussions across various sectors, particularly on the Italian agri-food industry. As the world seeks solutions to this situation, it is crucial to closely monitor developments and adapt to the new challenges of international trade. See also: “Sustainability: recycling and reuse for a second life of materials”

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”

The Italian agricultural sector is facing significant challenges in adopting ecological and economically sustainable practices, while grappling with farmer unrest, the urgency of the climate transition, and complex management at the European level. The Farmers' Crisis in Italy: Economic and Industrial Repercussions. Farmers' protests have spread across several European countries, from France to Italy, driven by reasons including the reduction of EU subsidies and the perception of excessive restrictions. Let's explore all the details in the rest of the article. Read also: “Suez Canal Crisis: The Agri-Food Sector Also Pays the Consequences” What is Happening to Agriculture in Italy Between 2005 and 2020, 5.3 million farms disappeared in Europe, nearly 600,000 of which were Italian. The pandemic, the war in Ukraine, inflation, and climate events have further complicated the situation, with a 25% increase in the prices of agricultural goods and services in 2022. Dissent in the agri-food sector stemmed from measures to make food production "greener," criticism of the European Union's restrictive agricultural policies, and rules requiring land to be left fallow to preserve biodiversity. In Italy, the Comitato Agricoltori Traditi (Betrayed Farmers Committee) led the protest against restrictive EU agricultural policies and the stance of traditional sector organizations. Farmers complain about declining incomes, taxes on inactive vehicles, and demand an urgent dialogue with Parliament. An Unsustainable and Inadequate Agricultural Model The #CambiamoAgricoltura Coalition (a coalition formed in 2017 to demand a CAP reform that protects all farmers, citizens, and the environment) also criticizes national and EU agricultural policies, arguing that they have created an unsustainable and unjust agricultural model. The interests of industrial supply chains have prevailed at the expense of agricultural workers, human and environmental health, and animal welfare. Farmers and consumers are considered the weakest links in the chain, while powerful industrial actors have increased their profits and political influence. Agricultural protests are directed at the European Green Deal due to its environmental implications and alleged negative consequences on the sustainability and prosperity of the agricultural sector. Indeed, the European Green Deal is blamed for causing the crisis in the primary sector. Derogations from environmental commitments, such as reducing pesticide use and nature conservation, compromise the goals of the "Farm to Fork" and "Biodiversity 2030" strategies. Climate change is identified as a serious threat to agriculture, with direct and indirect impacts on production, the environment, and food security. The Coalition further maintains that farmers' hardship is caused by multiple factors, including unfair distribution of aid, lack of support for changing the production model, and conflicts of interest in the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. It highlights the need for subsidies geared toward economic sustainability and the numerical growth of farms, encouraging the ecological transition. Is the Consequence an Agroecological Transition? The majority of farmers, oppressed by the dominant actors in the supply chain, express growing discomfort and distrust in the agri-food system. Agricultural protests, initially focused on environmental protection, are the result of multiple reasons, including structural problems within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Despite the agro-environmental rules introduced with little success, the unfair distribution of aid persists, rewarding large corporations at the expense of small ones. Agricultural corporations, by defending a payment system based on historical entitlements, favor large landowners over small and medium-sized farmers, leading to the closure of many businesses. The rhetoric of the farmer as the custodian of the environment has not helped in understanding the necessary evolution of agriculture's social and environmental role. Thus, the need for an agroecological transition is proposed, supported by public subsidies geared toward economic sustainability and the numerical growth of farms. Agroecological practices, as demonstrated by the 2023 agricultural year, can guarantee both environmental protection and farmers' income. The #CambiamoAgricoltura Coalition urges key stakeholders to avoid weakening CAP rules, pointing out that such actions will hinder the transition toward a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system. It also invites an open debate on the true causes of the economic crisis in the primary sector, pointing to an unfair agri-food system that favors large corporations over small producers and consumers. Economic and Industrial Implications of the Agricultural Crisis Unemployment: The agricultural crisis has a direct impact on employment in rural areas, where many families depend directly on the agricultural sector. The loss of jobs has significant consequences for the social and economic fabric of local communities; Decline in National Production: This has knock-on implications for the domestic food supply, increasing reliance on imports and affecting the country's food self-sufficiency; Reduction in Agricultural GDP: The agricultural crisis contributes to a decrease in the agricultural sector's contribution to Italy's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), negatively impacting the economy as a whole; Impact on the Agri-Food Supply Chain: The farmers' crisis has significant consequences along the agri-food supply chain, involving producers, processors, and distributors. The fragility of the chain can undermine the security and diversity of the food supply. The farmers' crisis in Italy is not just a challenge for the agricultural sector, but an issue that impacts the entire national economy. Addressing this crisis requires collaboration among government, industry, and local communities to implement sustainable solutions and promote the revival of a strong and resilient agricultural sector. Only through a joint commitment can we preserve the agricultural and industrial wealth that has characterized Italy for generations. See also: “Climate Change and Environmental Impact: Summer 2023 the Hottest in History”