PACKAGING FOCUS
Packaging is taking the spotlight in global environmental action – and POC has your guide to lead the way.
THINKING OUTSIDE ABOVE: EPR schemes are broadening their focus from recycling to repair and reuse.
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THE BOX
ith packaging using 50% of all paper and 40% of all plastics produced globally, it’s not just a waste issue – it’s a climate issue. In fact, packaging alone could take up 19% of the global carbon budget, contributing to between 36% and 50% of municipal solid waste worldwide. Which is why Products of Change (POC) teamed up with its incredible community of members to launch a brand-new Packaging Guide, available free to all POC members via the Resources page on the POC website. This industry-agnostic guide brings together the best thinking, data, and tools in one easy-to-use resource, designed to help businesses of all sizes rethink their packaging strategies through a sustainability lens. Crafted with input from industry leaders including The LEGO Group, Magic Light, Tesco, and the POC Advisor community, the new guide offers practical insights to help you: ■ Understand the environmental impact of your packaging choices; ■ Align with the POC Industry Framework for sustainable transformation; ■ Explore real-world alternatives and emerging materials; ■ Drive better packaging design – without the guesswork. We know there’s no one-size-fitsall solution
when it comes to packaging, which is why our packaging guide focuses on empowering you to make informed, balanced decisions, considering both environmental and economic outcomes. “Here’s the good news: sustainable packaging isn’t just better for the planet, it makes business sense too. Economic benefits will naturally follow as we reduce waste, innovate across supply chains, and meet growing consumer demand for responsible products,” said Helena MansellStopher, founder and CEO of Products of Change. BUSINESS CASE FORWARD For those who attended the very popular webinar POC hosted earlier this year as part of its packaging working group series, led by Christian Lanckman, LEGO’s sustainable packaging manager, this will be a familiar message. Christian and his team put together a packaging optimisation programme for LEGO’s supply chain partners, with the objective to have more sustainable packaging by reducing material use, and by doing so have the opportunity to generate large financial savings. “What we do is that we share concrete examples and proven results with our partners to help them see the tangible benefits of optimising the packaging. This approach not only reinforces our partnership, but also gives our partners all the cards to achieve significant improvements in cost efficiency and sustainability,” explained Christian. Examples of packaging optimisation strategies that have seen significant results, Christian listed: material improvement, light weighting, rightsizing, cube optimisation, and harmonisation
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