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From July 1, 2025, the new rates for CAC Environmental Contributions for paper, wood, glass, and plastic packaging will come into force. These changes, established by CONAI in collaboration with the Rilegno, Corepla, Comieco, and Coreve consortia, aim to maintain the economic sustainability of recycling chains and promote a more efficient circular economy. New CAC 2025 rates: what changes for paper, wood, glass, and plastic. Let's discover together in detail the introduced changes, how they will influence companies, and what strategies to adopt to optimize packaging management. Read also: “CE marking of machinery: what changes with the EU/2023/1230 regulation” Why are the new CAC rates necessary? The modulation of the CAC stems from the need to guarantee the financial balance of the consortia responsible for the collection, sorting, and recycling of different packaging materials. In recent years, changes in the raw materials market and a decline in revenues from the sale of recycled materials have put pressure on the system, requiring a structural intervention to maintain the sustainability of operational activities. In particular, the new rates aim to: Support supply chain consortia in their recycling activities. Adjust contributions to the actual management costs of packaging waste. Promote greater environmental responsibility among companies that place packaging on the market. Paper packaging: more tiers and benefits for certified composites For the paper sector, the contribution tiers will increase from six to eight, with greater granularity in packaging classification. This choice will allow the contribution to be applied more fairly and reward companies that choose more sustainable packaging solutions. The main changes include: Introduction of benefits for certified composites in categories B1 and C1, which could benefit from reduced rates. One-year trial: A trial period will allow monitoring the impact of the new rates and making any adjustments based on the results obtained. Operational guidelines: CONAI and Comieco will shortly publish guidelines to help companies adapt correctly to the new criteria, with particular attention to small companies that place minimal volumes of composite packaging on the market. Wood packaging: a gradual increase to support Rilegno Wood packaging will also see an increase in the environmental contribution, which will rise from 7 €/ton to 9 €/ton. This modification has been designed to support the Rilegno consortium, ensuring the coverage of management costs and maintaining financial balance. Why this increase? The wood sector is facing challenges related to the decline in revenues from the sale of recycled material. The increase in the CAC allows collection and recycling operations to remain active, avoiding disruptions in the service. This is an adjustment that had been planned for some time, part of a long-term financial stabilization plan. Glass packaging: environmental contributions doubled in two phases The environmental contribution for glass packaging will undergo a significant increase in two phases: From July 1, 2025: The CAC will rise from 15 €/ton to 35 €/ton. From January 1, 2026: Further increase to 40 €/ton. What led to this decision? Market difficulties: the Coreve consortium reported a drastic reduction in revenues from the sale of recycled materials. Drop in auction prices: in the last auction of October 2024, prices fell to a quarter compared to the beginning of the year, heavily impacting the consortium's budget. Increase in operational costs: the return of large quantities of glass packaging waste generated an increase in management costs, making a revision of the environmental contribution necessary. Plastic packaging: rates modulated for all nine tiers For plastic packaging, the nine contribution tiers in force since 2023 will remain unchanged, but the rates will be updated. Corepla recorded a 4.6% increase in collected plastic packaging waste, with a consequent increase in management and sorting costs. New CAC Rates for Plastic (from July 1, 2025) A1.1: From 24.00 €/ton to 40.00 €/ton. A1.2: From 90.00 €/ton to 87.00 €/ton. A2: From 220,00 €/ton to 258.00 €/ton. B1.1: From 224.00 €/ton to 219.00 €/ton. B1.2: From 233.00 €/ton to 228.00 €/ton. B2.1: From 441.00 €/ton to 611.00 €/ton. B2.2: From 589.00 €/ton to 724.00 €/ton. B2.3: From 650.00 €/ton to 785.00 €/ton. C: From 655.00 €/ton to 790.00 €/ton. How to prepare for the new CACs? The support of Cart-One Companies in the packaging sector will need to adapt quickly to these new rates, reviewing their packaging and waste management strategies. Cart-One offers innovative solutions to: Optimize the use of packaging materials, choosing lighter and more recyclable solutions that reduce CAC costs. Avoid overpackaging, proposing smart packaging that minimizes waste. Support companies in the transition towards sustainable packaging, helping them comply with new regulations and improve their environmental footprint. Facing 2025 with the right solutions The modulation of environmental contributions represents a challenge, but also an opportunity to rethink packaging strategies from a sustainable perspective. Preparing at best means adopting solutions that not only comply with the new regulations but also improve the company's operational efficiency and competitiveness. Cart-One is ready to guide you along this path, offering the necessary support to transform your packaging into a true strategic asset. Want to know more about how to optimize your packaging in view of the new CACs? Contact us for a personalized consultation and discover how our solutions can help you make a difference! You might also be interested in: “Food product labeling: what changes with the new MIMIT guidelines” Source: ItaliaImballaggio

Ecogrip Delivers the sustainable multi-packaging of bottles. 100% recyclable corrugate Sustainable alternative to single-use plastic Complete solution for bottle multi-packs Blue Box Partners, the pan-European Alliance of suppliers for corrugated board packaging solutions, has launched ECOGRIP, a corrugated alternative to shrink wrap for the multi-packing of a wide range of bottles that builds on the growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging. Research has shown retailers and consumers are wanting more sustainable packaging solutions when they make purchasing decisions. Moreover, the EU’s single-use plastic (SUP) Directive, which came into force on 3rd July 2019, aims to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. This has caused large brands and manufacturers to re-evaluate their packaging strategies and seek out alternatives. ECOGRIP is designed to replace single-use shrink-wrap plastic for bottles between 330ml and 1.5 litres, providing a recyclable and biodegradable corrugate solution for multi-packs. Adaptable to the many different bottle styles on the market regardless of diameter, it provides brands, retailers and consumers with a sustainable multi-packing solution for four, six or eight bottles. The ergonomic design makes it easy to transport, handle and store and the corrugated board can be customised through a variety of print technologies for maximum brand and on-shelf impact. “Every business is now focused on sustainability” said Armin Höttges, managing director at Blue Box Partners. “While we continue to see improvements in recycling rates for many packaging products, secondary packaging such as shrink-wrap falls into the category of single-use plastic which can create issues if not disposed of responsibly. This has resulted in considerable pressure from governments, environmental groups and consumers - all of whom are demanding packaging which is more sustainable and the launch of ECOGRIP now delivers a solution for brands that want an effective multi-packing option.” Blue Box Partners is the alliance of VPK Group, Klingele Paper and Packaging Group, Hinojosa and Cart-One, who together offer expertise and collective intelligence, delivering local solutions across Europe. Working with brands to develop packaging solutions that not only solve their current issues around single-use plastic, but also provide sustainable packaging solutions for the long term, the launch of ECOGRIP is the perfect example of the partnership. Available through all Blue Box Partners members and with both manual and automated packing options, ECOGRIP provides consumers, retailers and brand owners with a complete solution for the sustainable multi-packing of bottles.

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.