FILM | INNOVATION
Right: PepsiCo Europe is this year trialling crisp packag- ing made with recycled content
flexible plastic packaging means it has a low carbon footprint. But it says it recognises that “change is needed to reduce the amount of virgin fossil-based plastic that is used and to drive circularity in flexible packaging. PepsiCo Europe will focus its work on three strategic pillars: the right design; the right infrastructure and the right new life for flexible packaging.” The “right design” involves designing simpler bag structures to make them easier to recycle. The company says the new bag designs include polypropylene mono-material structures. These meet the design for recycling guidelines devel- oped by the Ceflex consortium of companies active in the flexible packaging value chain. Gerald Rebitzer, Sustainability Director at Amcor,
PepsiCo’s flexible packaging partner in Europe, says: “We are building a future where flexible packaging is part of the circular economy. Together with PepsiCo, we enhanced the material technolo- gies on PepsiCo’s new crisp packet to make it easier to recycle. And we are beginning to integrate renewable and recycled content into PepsiCo’s packaging. To meet the demands of our clients like PepsiCo, we encourage more partners upstream to invest in the supply chains of these new materials.” Another pillar for Pepsico Europe’s flexible
packaging strategy is “the right new life” in which it aims to build demand for recycled content made from flexible packaging to support its use more widely. So, in addition to its planned trials of recycled plastics in new crisp packets, the company is also exploring other possibilities for waste snack bags. This will involve recycling packets into pellet form for use in non-packaging items, and it cites floor posts and automotive parts as possible applications. “The right infrastructure” element of the com- pany’s strategy will see it investing in infrastructure
and technology and advocating for policy changes. Its work includes collaborating on and financing the development of effective waste collection systems in Europe and investing in schemes such as the Flexible Plastics Fund in the UK and REFLEX in Poland. As part of this approach PepsiCo Europe says it is advocating ambitious EU-wide recycling targets for flexible packaging including accelerat- ing the ban on landfill and to swiftly adopt Extend- ed Producer Responsibility fees that drive collec- tion, sorting and recycling of flexible film. This year PepsiCo is collaborating to further scale
and improve sorting and recycling, trialling smart packaging on several brands in 2022 in Germany and France as part of the Holy Grail 2.0 Digital Watermarks initiative. It says it is working with partners Borealis and Tomra to progress advanced recycling technologies for flexible packaging. “Through collaboration and innovation, we can
Above: Starlinger highlights many countries are legislating in the area of single-use packaging, including mandated recycled content
44 PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | January/February 2022
progress to a viable circular economy for our food packaging in Europe,” says Archana Jagannathan, Senior Director, Sustainable Packaging, PepsiCo Europe. “Today, the supply of recycled and renewable materials for flexibles is limited. The regulatory environment is very dynamic and we need more clarity on policy and recognised technologies. If a policy and waste infrastructure, similar to beverage bottle packaging, accelerates for flexibles, we will speed up our plans and go even faster to meet our commitments.” Recycling technology group Starlinger says that because countries have been banning single-use
www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com
IMAGE: STARLINGER
IMAGE: PEPSICO NETHERLANDS
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