Recycling and civil society: which are the most effective awareness raising strategies

As of January 1st, 2022, all changes regarding the environmental contribution approved by the CONAI Board of Directors have come into effect, featuring a further reduction of the environmental contribution (CAC) for paper and cardboard packaging and for almost all plastic packaging.  This reduction, adding to those already established in 2021, is essentially linked to the prices of packaging raw materials, which continue to remain extremely high.   Reduction of the environmental contribution for paper and cardboard packaging  The CAC value for this type of packaging drops from €25/ton to €10/ton.  Considering that just at the beginning of 2021 the value stood at €55/ton, the overall reduction amounts to over 80%.   It should be noted, however, that the decrease in the environmental contribution will not affect the separate collection and recycling of paper and cardboard. In fact, COMIECO will continue to guarantee the startup of recycling operations for approximately 2.5 million tons, which has made it possible to achieve 87% recycling of cellulose-based packaging, a full 10 years ahead of European targets.  On the other hand, the values of the extra CAC applicable to the following remain unchanged:   Paper-based multi-material packaging, suitable for containing liquids, whose values amount to €30/ton;  Type C packaging (consisting of a cellulose component equal to or greater than 60% and less than 80%), whose values correspond to €120/ton  Type D packaging (with a cellulose component less than 60% or not specified), whose overall values correspond to €250/ton.  Reduction of the CAC for plastic packaging  The CAC has seen a reduction for nearly all packaging made of plastic materials.  In detail, the contribution for plastic packaging belonging to:  Band A1 (rigid and flexible packaging characterized by an efficient and consolidated sorting and recycling industrial chain, mostly managed within commercial and industrial circuits) is reduced from 150 to €104/ton.  Band B1 (packaging characterized by an effective and consolidated sorting and recycling industrial chain, mainly from the domestic circuit) is reduced from 208 to €149/ton.  Band B2 (other sortable/recyclable packaging from domestic and/or commercial and industrial circuits) goes from 560 to €520/ton.  Band C (packaging with experimental sorting/recycling activities underway or not sortable/recyclable with current technologies) from 660 to €642/ton.  Until June 30th, 2022, the contribution for packaging belonging to band A2 (flexible packaging with an effective and consolidated sorting and recycling industrial chain, predominantly from commercial and industrial circuits but significantly present in urban separate collection) will remain unchanged at €150/ton. Starting from July 1st, 2022, in conjunction with the higher costs of initiating recycling, the CAC value will increase to €168/ton.  Simplified procedures for imports  These reductions have also had an impact on the flat-rate/simplified procedures for importing filled packaging.  The rates to be applied to the overall value of imports are reduced from 0.20 to 0.17% for packaged food products and from 0.10 to 0.08% for packaged non-food products.  The contribution through the flat-rate calculation on the weight of packaging alone (tare) of imported goods drops from 101 to €90/ton.  To explore this topic further, you can consult the 2022 CONAI Environmental Contribution Guide. 

The Italian agri-food sector looks with growing concern at the possible introduction of new customs tariffs by the United States, a measure that could heavily penalize Made in Italy exports and have direct repercussions on the food packaging supply chain as well. US tariffs: impact on agri-food and packaging. Italy, with over 67 billion euros in agri-food exports in 2024, recorded an 8% growth compared to the previous year, confirming its position among the main exporting countries in the world. However, the hypothesis of new US tariff barriers risks slowing down this positive trend. Read also: “New CAC 2025 rates: what changes for paper, wood, glass, and plastic” Why US tariffs worry Italy According to Denis Pantini, Head of Agri-Food at Nomisma, the additional tariffs are part of a strategy to rebalance the American trade balance, which has long been in deficit towards the European Union. The deficit exceeds 200 billion dollars for goods, although it softens when considering the trade of services. Right in the crosshairs could end up Italian agri-food products, which are the most exposed to exports towards the US among all EU countries, with a share of 12% of the total value of sector exports. The Italian products most at risk of tariffs Many of the symbolic products of the Made in Italy agri-food sector depend significantly on the US market. Among the most exposed we find: Cider (72%), Pecorino Romano and Fiore Sardo PDO (57%), White wines from Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia (48%), Toscana red wines PDO (40%), Extra virgin olive oil (32%), Vinegars (30%), mineral waters (28%), and also Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano (17%). These are significant percentages, which make it clear how closely Italian agri-food exports are tied to the American market. The most exposed Italian regions The economic consequences will not be distributed evenly. Some Italian regions, particularly in Central and Southern Italy, risk greater impacts. Sardegna is the most vulnerable: it produces over 90% of Pecorino Romano PDO and sends 49% of its agri-food exports to the United States. Followed by Toscana, where oil represents 42% of exports towards the US and wines 33%. Lazio also exports 58% of its olive oil to the US, while Abruzzo sends 28% of its pasta and bakery products. In Campania, 26% of wine exports are destined for the American market. Packaging for export: a strategy to react to tariffs In the midst of this uncertain scenario, food packaging can play a key role in facing the changes imposed by the international context. Rethinking packaging becomes a priority. Investing in sustainable, efficient packaging optimized for logistics means reducing costs, increasing product attractiveness, and adapting more easily to alternative markets. Smart packaging helps businesses position themselves better even in contexts where competitiveness is played out on details such as traceability, food safety, aesthetic appeal, and environmental impact. Cart-One alongside agri-food businesses In a market increasingly influenced by geopolitical and commercial factors, Cart-One proposes itself as a strategic partner for Italian companies, offering customized and export-ready packaging solutions. Our corrugated cardboard boxes, studied for the needs of the agri-food sector, meet international standards and are designed to enhance every product with efficiency, aesthetics, and sustainability. Do you need a more competitive, sustainable packaging ready to overcome new barriers? Cart-One is ready to accompany you with tailor-made solutions for the Italian agri-food sector of today... and tomorrow. Contact us for more information. See also: “Sustainable packaging: what influences Italian consumers' purchases”

The upward trend in prices shows no signs of slowing down, now reaching 70% for cellulose; and while we have been witnessing unprecedented increases in raw materials (such as steel, wood, and gas) for six months, we are forced once again to question the future of production supply chains, put to a severe test by prices that are now skyrocketing. Italian companies are further burdened by increases regarding energy costs, making it necessary to find solutions to avoid halting entire production chains. In particular, the companies facing the greatest difficulties are micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, upon which falls a double sword of Damocles represented by the cost of raw materials and energy. Data from Confartigianato shows that the most "expensive" effect is evident in the North-East of our country, home to numerous companies and businesses, including family-run ones. In this area, the rise in raw material prices weighs on micro and small enterprises by 3.3% of GDP.  The impact has also swept through the North-West, affecting it by 2.8%, while for micro and small enterprises in Central Italy, the impact drops to 2.3%; the lowest impact is recorded in the Mezzogiorno, standing at 1.8%. The issue of the unavailability of raw materials puts the very existence of companies to a severe test, forcing them to turn down orders both due to the difficulty of sourcing raw materials and the impossibility of honoring quotes made months ago.  Confartigianato announced that the percentage of companies operating in the construction sector reporting materials shortages as an obstacle to production rose to 9.5% in September 2021. Raw materials: how they affect economic recovery The high cost of raw materials and their unavailability represent an obstacle to recovery. Despite increasing orders, we are witnessing a slowdown in investments as well as innovation processes, and the demand for labor is falling. Some are even attempting to access social safety nets.  There is a growing need to monitor speculative maneuvers; therefore, the introduction of price control mechanisms, as in the case of the energy sector, would be appropriate. How the packaging sector is facing the crisis  The restart within the packaging sector brought about an increase in requests, but successive lockdowns and restrictions had previously forced businesses to slow down. In doing so, a gap was created between market demands and actual response capacity. Currently, the packaging sector is weighed down by price increases in cellulose, in addition to the costs of waste paper and gas costs, which have now skyrocketed. Some paper mills are thinking of countering the situation by temporarily suspending operations, all to avoid producing below cost. The overall picture of increases puts production to a severe test: for instance, long-fiber NBSK has seen increases of 60%, while it amounts to 70% for short-fiber eucalyptus. These increases translate into a price per ton of 1,350 dollars for long-fiber and 1,150 dollars for short-fiber, according to Assocarta data. Paper and cardboard for recycling have risen by 138% and 143% respectively, marking prices from 155 up to 170 euros per ton. Therefore, anyone wishing to purchase raw materials for recycling pays much more for them. What are the reasons for the price increases in paper and cardboard for recycling? The advent of the pandemic changed our purchasing habits. On one hand, there was a greater demand for packaging due to the explosion of e-commerce and the creation of packaging destined for takeout. Furthermore, the increased demand for sustainable containers led to paper and cardboard being identified as the primary candidate for replacing single-use packaging. It must also be considered that the paper sector is among the most energy-intensive. The increase in the cost of gas, as also reported by Assocarta, has been rising since the summer of 2020 and unfortunately tends to grow without showing signs of slowing down. This has significantly impacted the finished product. At times, price increases are equal to 5%, and even up to 10%. For this reason, according to some paper mills, it will be necessary to halt production, at least until more affordable gas costs can be accessed. How much does the cost of energy impact the cost of packaging? According to estimates reported by Il Sole 24Ore, energy represents 30% of the total costs incurred, and therefore, even if turnover tends to increase precisely because of a greater demand for paper and cardboard packaging, profit margins tend to narrow due to high energy costs. Among the most affected sectors is tissue: we are talking about sanitary and household paper, because this segment, due to its type of production, needs to secure agreements lasting at least six months, a timeframe too long to allow for the forecasting of final prices. How much do the new EU regulations on packaging influence price increases? As we have repeatedly explained in previous articles, packaging is at the center of a revolution. The need to reduce or eliminate plastic volumes within packaging has caused the demand for cardboard to soar. Faced with a stable production capacity, an increase in cardboard demand was generated, which in turn, in this delicate situation, caused a general price hike: Linerboard with corrugated medium → +65% Graphic paper → +15-20% Tube paper → +55% Paper and cardboard are among the most recyclable materials. In our country, we have achieved a good level of circularity regarding paper collection and recycling, giving life to a more sustainable production cycle. At the moment, a large volume of orders is being recorded, but it is impossible to fulfill them. As pointed out at the beginning, the e-commerce boom made manufacturers aware of the need to provide a massive amount of packaging.  How should packaging production be rethought? The crisis in the paper sector also asks us to rethink our relationship with packaging which, especially regarding primary packaging, carries aesthetic value, product recognition, and so on. At present, efforts are being made to review the concept of packaging, particularly based on functionality, so as to align production and optimize it solely and exclusively to meet specific needs. While we have already talked in the past about packaging design in terms of resource savings and waste reduction, this requirement has now become a true diktat to be followed.