Towards a Resource Efficient Europe (And by Extension, the Rest of the World)
“It’s not only about Recycling”
A Perspective from the European Flexible Packaging Industry as to why “Prevention” is key to achieving the Europe 2020 Strategy targets.
Presented by: Tom Bezigian, Adj. Prof.Univ. of Massachusetts - Lowell
+1 315 382 [email protected]
Agenda
• Goal• Background / Definitions• Case studies / Scenarios• Comparison of CO2/H2O footprints• Comparison of water footprints• Conclusions
Goal of this Presentation
•The purpose of this talk is to review the benefits of substituting traditional rigid packaging materials with flexible packaging materials
Europe 2020 Targets
• The goal is to reduce addition to the waste stream at its source via increased utilization of flexible packaging
• That is, the substitution of traditional rigid, non-flexible packaging with flexible packaging.
• This will not result in re-arranging the pie, but to have a bigger pie
• This could conceivably double the size of the flexible packaging market while at the same time become more resource efficient
Why are we here today?To raise awareness for “Prevention”
• To review the Europe 2020 Strategy vision, the primary objective if which is the RESOURCE EFFICIENT use of all resources; including the packaging, water, energy, etc.
• Packaging is seen as an advocate for to achieve the strategy, i.e.,
• Packaging reduces food waste not only by PREVENTINGfood waste (spoilage), but by increased utilization (parts of the food that would be thrown away), thus enables more sustainable consumption
Examples of “Prevention”
Why are we here today?To raise awareness for “Prevention”
• Old paradigm• REDUCE• REUSE• RECYCLE• DISPOSAL
Why are we here today?To raise awareness for “Prevention”
• Modern paradigm (US)• REDUCE• REUSE• RECYCLE• ENERGY RECOVERY
• Dow Energy Bag Program, pyrolysis – waste to oil
http://www.dow.com/en-us/packaging/sustainability/energy-recovery
Why are we here today?To raise awareness for “Prevention”
• Modern paradigm• REDUCE – Downgauging is well established• REUSE – Cannot reuse most packaging for its
intended use• RECYCLE – Possible, if mechanisms are in place –
room for improvement• ENERGY – Inefficient use of resources, but better
than landfilling
Europe 2020 Strategy
• New European paradigm• PREVENT – Resource efficiency• RECYLE• RECOVER
Global Flexible Packaging Market Size, $
Source: SusPack2015
Food & drink packaging, 4711.2,
60%
Other packaging, 842.4, 11%
Transportation, 795.6, 10%
Electrical, 686.4, 9%
Other markets, 429, 6%
Construction, 335.4, 4%
2016 WORLD CONSUMPTION OF ALL SPECIALTY FILMS = 7.8MM TONS
Source: Pira 2016 Specialty Films
Food & drink packaging, 4711.2,
60%
Other packaging, 842.4, 11%
Transportation, 795.6, 10%
Electrical, 686.4, 9%
Other markets, 429, 6%
Construction, 335.4, 4%
WORLD CONSUMPTION OF ALL SPECIALTY FILMS = 7.8MM TONS
Source: Pira 2016 Specialty Films
Total Packaging Films = 5,553 metric tons
CO2 Footprint Definitions
• Gasoline / Petrol / Benzene:1 litre: 2.331kg of CO2 1 US gallon: 19.453 lb of CO2
• Diesel:1 litre: 2.772kg of CO2 1 US gallon: 23.133 lb of CO2
• Crude oil:1 barrel: 317kg of CO2 1 barrel: 699 lb of CO2
• 1 metric ton of CO2 is :- 429 litres / 113.33 gal of gasoline- 360.75 litres / 95.3 gal of diesel- 3.15 barrels of crude oil
• 22.27 lb/gal of gasoline, or ~1 lb/mile
• 1 ton polymer ~ 3 tons of CO2 (broad estimate)
Macro Contributions
1) Source: http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats/Energy/Oil/Consumption2) FPE
Europe USA
Oil Consumption (Bil barrels/MM tons)(1) 5.16 / 716 7.08 /983
CO2 Footprint, billion tons (est.)(1) 2.63 3.60
Flexible packaging resource depletion, MM tons (2)
188 243
Non-flexible Packaging resource depletion, MM tons (2)
580 745
Macro Contributions
1) Source: http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats/Energy/Oil/Consumption 2) FPE
Europe USA
Oil Consumption (Bil barrels/MM tons)(1) 5.16 / 716 7.08 /983
CO2 Footprint, billion tons (est.)(1) 2.63 3.60
Flexible packaging resource depletion, MM tons (2)
188 243
Non-flexible Packaging resource depletion, MM tons (2)
580 745
This becomes the opportunity in resource efficiency,and also a huge opportunity for flexible packaging
The Facts
• Resource Efficiency starts with Prevention.
• High recycling rates do not necessarily mean superior resource efficiency.
PreventionPreparing for Re-
Use
Recycling
Recovery
Disposal
Product (Non Waste)
Waste
Waste HierarchyAccording to Directive 2008/98/EC
Target: Resource Efficiency(Flagship initiative of the Europe 2020 Strategy)
Tool:
PreventionTool:
Recycling
Tool:
Energy Recovery
The three “levers” to increase R.E.
Some places use a lot of flexible packaging, but have a 0% recycling rate.
Waste in Port Klang, Malaysia, washed ashore by the tide.
The cause of this pollution is not due to the packaging itself.
Places with 100% Recycling Rate
• Kamikatsu, Japan (Source: CityLab)
• Toray Plastics America, Rhode Island; Company policy of zero waste to the landfill, using a waste-to-energy facility to accomplish this goal
(Source: Providence Journal)
Case Studies / Examples
Question 1:Is the objective of ‘circular economy’ to:
1. Recycle as much as possible?2. Prevent, i.e., keep resources in “the loop” for as long
as possible?
Case Studies / Examples
Question 2:Which food package is more resource efficient ?
1. A non-flexible package (weight 50g) having a recycling rate of 80%:
2. A flexible package (weight 5g) with the same functionality. Zero recycling:
Case Studies / Examples
Question 2:Which food pack is more resource efficient ?
1. A non-flexible package (weight 50g) having a recycling rate of 80%: Material loss = 10g
2. A flexible package (weight 5g) with the same functionality. Zero recycling:
Case Studies / Examples
Question 2:Which food pack is more resource efficient ?
1. A non flexible package (weight 50g) having a recycling rate of 80%: Material loss = 10g
2. A flexible package (weight 5g) with the same functionality. Zero recycling: Material loss = 5g
The Two Scenarios: 0%
100%
60%
40%
Substitution of all flexible packaging
with non- flexible packaging (except beverages)
non-flexible packaging
flexible packaging
Food PackagingSituation (in units) in EU today
Source: ifeu 2014, verified/reviewed by Carbotech 2014
0%
100%
1
2Substitution of all non-flexible packaging
with flexible packaging (except beverages)
Substitution of all flexible packaging
with non- flexible packaging (except beverages)
3.70 0.00
30.70
57.63
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
Situation today Replacing flexibleswith non-flexible
packaging
non-flexible packaging
flexible packaging
0%
100%
Food PackagingSituation in EU today
Scenario 1: Focus on Recycling
60%
40%
Increases the packaging by 23,3 million tonnes of
packaging materialper annum (or 67% more
packaging by weight)
Million tonnes primarypackaging in Europe
=
Source: ifeu 2014, verified/reviewed by Carbotech 2014
60%
40%
non-flexible packaging
flexible packaging
1
60%
40%
60%
40%
Food Packaging (in units)Situation in EU today
Scenario 2: Focus on Prevention
0%
100%
3.70 3.70
30.70
4.220
10
20
30
40
Situation today Replacing non-flexibles with flexiblepackaging
Preventing26,48 million tonnes of
packaging materialper annum (-77%)
Million tonnes primary packaging in Europe
=
Source: ifeu 2014, verified/reviewed by Carbotech 2014
0%
100%
Substitution of all non-flexible packaging
with flexible packaging (except beverages)
non-flexible packaging
flexible packaging
2
The CO-2 Footprint of Food Packaging in Europe(Global Warming Potential million tonnes CO2-eq)
26.37 26.37 26.02
65.60 64.69
81.60
68.16 68.16114.00
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Situation Today: non-flexibles and flexibles with
today's end-of-life rates
non-flexibles with 100%recycling rate / flexibles with
today's end-of-life rate
non-flexibles with 100%recycling rate / flexibles with
100% recovery rate
substitution of flexibles withnon-flexibles (100%
recycling rate)
substitution of non-flexibleswith flexibles (with today's
end-of-life rate)
substitution of non-flexibleswith flexibles (with 100%
recovery rate)
Non-flexible packaging
Flexible packaging 1) Focus on recycling2) Focus on Prevention
(resource efficiency)
12,5%
40,1%39,2%
-5,6%
12,8%
Source: ifeu 2014, verified/reviewed by Carbotech 2014
80% recycle rate
100% recycle rate
Today’s end-of-life
rates
Today’s end-of-life
rates
100% recycle rate
100% recycle rate
100% non-flexibles100% recycling rate
100% flexibles, today’s end-of-life rate
100% flexibles100% recycling rate
Global Warming Potential
A reduction of 42.37 million tonnes of CO2-eq is equivalent to
• 0,93% of the total GHG emissions in EU28 (2012)
• 100% of Slovakia’s GHG emissions of (2012)
• 2/3 of Ireland’s GHG emissions of (2012)
• 2/3 of Sweden’s GHG emissions of (2012)
• 80% of Denmark’s GHG emissions of (2012)
• 50% of Austria’s GHG emissions of (2012)
• …
138.50 138.50 140.04
344.00 348.00
480.66
391.49 391.49 652.00
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Situation Today: non-flexibles and flexibles with
today's end-of-life rates
non-flexibles with 100%recycling rate / flexibles with
today's end-of-life rate
non-flexibles with 100%recycling rate / flexibles with
100% recovery rate
substitution of flexibles withnon-flexibles (100%
recycling rate)
substitution of non-flexibleswith flexibles (with today's
end-of-life rate)
substitution of non-flexibleswith flexibles (with 100%
recovery rate)
Non-flexible packaging
Flexible packaging
The Water Footprint of Food Packaging in Europe(million m³ water)
14,4%
43,8%44,4%
-5,3%
14,1%
Source: ifeu 2014, verified/reviewed by Carbotech 2014
1) Focus on recycling 2) Focus on Prevention(resource efficiency)
188.67 188.67 195.58
469.00384.05
579.52
384.05 384.05
640.00
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Situation Today: non-flexibles and flexibles with
today's end-of-life rates
non-flexibles with 100%recycling rate / flexibles with
today's end-of-life rate
non-flexibles with 100%recycling rate / flexibles with
100% recovery rate
substitution of flexibles withnon-flexibles (100%
recycling rate)
substitution of non-flexibleswith flexibles (with today's
end-of-life rate)
substitution of non-flexibleswith flexibles (with 100%
recovery rate)
Non-flexible packaging Flexible packaging
Non Renewable Resource Depletion Indicator (ADP)
1) Focus on recycling 2) Focus on Prevention(resource efficiency)
25,5%
50%
39%24,6%
* Abiotic resources are non-living natural resources, like iron ore or crude oil
Abiotic* Depletion Potential (ADP) (million tonnes Sb-eq)
Source: IFEU (Institute for Energy, Heidelburg, Germany) 2014, verified/reviewed by Carbotech 2014
16,7%
SUMMARY Prevention = Resource Efficiency Scale of the opportunity
PREVENTION is the FIRST objective in the EU (packaging) waste hierarchy.
• Scientific Study: More usage of flexible packaging – due to its resource efficient use of materials (even with zero recycling) – may annually save up to:
PreventionPreparing for
Re-Use
Recycling
Recovery
Disposal
Implications for Circular Economy waste targets
1. As a minimum, stick to ‘dominant material approach’ for multilayer packaging recycling
2. Need to ensure current legislative focus on high material recycling targets does not compromise the overall resource efficiency objective and conflict with the European Resource Efficiency policy and targets!
3. Recognise/Reward (proven) Resource Efficient Packaging by either:• including the material saved as counting towards the “recycling
targets”.• Excluding it from the recycling target calculation.
Follow-on Project:Measuring Resource Efficient Packaging
NB: Work in progress Waste to final disposal
Energy (fossil fuels + nuclear)
Material Resources (incl. all feedstocks)
Circular Economy Vs Resource Efficiency
A reduction on this axis would indicate a more Circular Economy
However, a reduction on the Energy or Resource axes would be more Resource Efficient which might be more effective at reducing overall environmental impact than reducing Waste
Ongoing Project:Recycling of Flexible Packaging
Note: FPE is continuously searching out technologies that may facilitate increased recycling of flexible packaging.
mtm Plasticsinput material
Promising flexible packaging recycling technologies reviewed todate:
Saperatec – Layer separationMDS – high speed sorting of flakes by polymer type
Pellenc – high speed sorting of flake by type and colourStora Enso - pyrolysis
Enval – Microwave pyrolysisSystec Plastics PE Recyclers
mtm Plastics PP/PE recyclers
FPE website:http://www.flexpack-europe.org/sustainability-new.html
Conclusions• Legislation which focuses only on “Recycling” risks increasing packaging
waste by as much as 23 million tons (and EU GHG’s by up to 5%) by weakening the market positions of more difficult to recycle, but very resource efficient, packaging solutions.
• Prevention of packaging material becoming waste is more important for a resource efficient Europe than further increasing recycling rates – especially for some packaging solutions like flexible packaging. Opportunity to reducepackaging material waste by as much as 26 million tons and EU GHG’s by almost 1%.
• If a ‘circular economy’ is the goal, then there is a pressing need to change mind sets and to open up for more differentiated policies that reward PREVENTION, rather than a single focus on higher recycling targets.
• Having a national strategy vs. fragmented state strategies is more likely to succeed.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Graham Houlder and Flexible Packaging Europe for its time and resources
http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/index_en.htm
Thank you
Questions?
Presented by: Tom Bezigian, ConsultantPLC Technologies Film Consulting
Syracuse, New York+1 315 382 3241
Who we are:Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE)
• 70 member companies = flexible packaging manufacturers
• 9 FPE members listed in Europe’s Top 10
• 6 national associations are FPE member
• Representing almost 80% of European flexible packaging turnover (EU 28, CH, TR, UKR,…)
• Networks:• Member Save Food Initiative FAO/UNEP/Messe Düsseldorf• Co-signatory to Food & Drink Europe “Every Crumb Counts”
campaign• Member EU Fusions FP& project on Food Waste• European Round Table for SCP• European Retailer Forum