The Global Protocol on Packaging Sustainability

European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011 1

Julian CarrollManaging Director

EUROPEN

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Reasons for the project

European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011

Sustainability is an essential element of business strategy

• But…• Varying perspectives and levels of understanding of sustainability• Use of different metrics to measure sustainability

Packaging is critical to this strategy

• Packaging protects, preserves, promotes the product.• But…• Consumers perceive over-packaging as a key concern• NGOs and Government view packaging as a key focus area when

targeting potential gains to sustainability and a positive impact on the environment

Consistent measures of sustainability reduce complexity,

costs & enable better results

• Better co-ordinated industry action to address the issues around packaging takes out unnecessary costs, inefficient responses and potential consumer confusion

• Consumers want consistency of information• Industry needs a common business language and commonly

used metrics to address packaging sustainability

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Deliverables

European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011

Guidance on how to improve sustainability of packaging, covering…

Role of Packaging

Common definitions and principles

Packaging sustainability indicators and metrics

Common language to measure the sustainability of packaging

…enabling• Better internal decision making • Better trading partner dialogue on packaging improvements

Common understanding of packaging’s contribution to sustainability

Common understanding of what sustainability means for packaging

The Global Packaging Project is based on the EUROPEN/ECR Europe guide «Packaging in the Sustainability Agenda – a guide for corporate decision-makers» and the indicators and metrics framework of the US Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC).

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Retailers Manufacturers Associations

Packaging manufacturers

Academic/ Consultant Support

•Quantis•GreenBlue•Innventia•University of Arkansas•University of Minnesota•University of Manchester•Rochester Institute of Technology

European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011

Common industry sustainability language, measures and protocols

How Packaging Can Contribute to Improving Sustainability

The Principles ofSustainability

The Role of Packaging

Framework: The Holistic View

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Finding balance

• The optimal package has the right balance between under- and over-packaging.

Negativeenvironmental

impact

Increasingpackaging

material useMinimum material

OverpackagingUnderpackaging

Optimum Pack Design

Minimumenvironmental

impact

Diagram courtesy of Innventia AB6European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011

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The GPPS FrameworkEstablishes the principles on

which the GPPS is based

Explains the role of packaging

Gives background information

Provides a common language for discussing sustainability

European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011

1. Presents the selected metrics and how to use them

2. Includes descriptions, definitions, and examples

3. Gives links and references to relevant existing metrics, methods, and databases

Protocol

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The approach

Develop a basket of commonly used metrics to facilitate business discussions throughout the value chain about the sustainability of packaging systems

Use pre-existing internationally recognised metrics where these exist

Include Environmental, Social and Economic metrics

Build on existing work

European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011

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Benefits

European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011

Clear definition of sustainability

Holistic approach to Packaging

Unified approach from industry to sustainability metrics

Cost reduction

Reduced sustainability impacts

Improved consumer perception

Improved decision making

Demonstrate industry-wide leadership for: Others to emulate Applying the model to achieve other

common goals

Globally applicable definition of common packaging sustainability

indicators and metrics

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GPPS Potential Applications

European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011

To inform internal decision making

To allow communication between business partners

To facilitate communication with other stakeholders

To provide overall packaging systems evaluations

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Enabling Different Levels of Business Decisions

European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011

Examples of Analysis

Level 1 Simple analysis, single indicator eg pack weight

Level 2 Optimization analysis for a functional unit using multiple indicators

Level 3 Comparative analysis of one or more packaging formats/material for same functional unit

Level 4 Full system design and analysis to compare packaging formats/material with information on product

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GPPS Communication Role

European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011

Can be for Internal or external Communication

For use in marketing or corporate reporting

External communication will require higher level of accuracy, documentation and transparency of data

Observe existing international guidelines for comparative assertions intended for public disclosure eg ISO LCA Standard, ISO Labels and Declaration Standard, FTC Guidelines

GPPS does not replace existing standards

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The GPPS package http://globalpackaging.mycgforum.com/

Where to get it

European Food SCP Round Table Plenary, Brussels 8 December 2011

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