PACKAGING AND LOGISTICS
Ecolabeling and recycling of lubes packaging for greener environment
Dr Srđan Sokolović MBA, Energy and Waste and Chemicals Management Consultant, Owner of Sowa Solutions
Introduction
Lubricant packaging is usually used to maintain the properties of product over a specified period of time and for safe storage of lubricants during transport, handling and storage [1]. The EU Packaging Directive 94/62/EC which covers packaging and packaging waste has been introduced in 1994. With introduction of this directive, it has been ensured that packaging and packaging waste were made from healthy, environmentally friendly and uniform nature.
The fundamentals considering this directive are that unnecessary packaging must be prevented, recycling of unavoidable packaging waste must be maximised, and that waste disposal costs should be reduced.
Also, this way, the standard was defined, which binds all manufacturers and retailers to meet the following requirements for the packaging that they place on the market [1]. The lowest possible weight and volume of material should be used whilst still maintaining standards of safety, hygiene and consumer acceptance.
Similarly, packaging manufacturers should maximise the reduction of the use of hazardous and noxious substances and components in the packaging material.
Finally, the manufacture of packaging should utilise as many reusable and recyclable materials as possible.
Diverse types of packaging [2] in which lubricants can be stored include lubricant oil bottles, drums, pails and flexible containers. Lubricant packaging [2] is further
divided based on materials used for production of packaging into metals and plastics. Packaging made of metal2
can be dived into steel, tin and aluminium metal packaging. Packaging made of plastics [2] shall be divided into polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene and others.
Main Directive and Regulations Under Directive 94/62/EC there are the following requirements specific to the recoverable nature of packaging: •
•
• •
Packaging recoverable in the form of energy recovery.
Packaging recoverable in the form of composting Biodegradable packaging.
According to Directive 94/62/EC, biodegradable packaging waste must be of such nature that most of the finished compost decomposes into carbon dioxide, biomass and water during its physical, chemical, thermal or biological decomposition.
The most important certification organisation in Europe3
are DIN CERTCO and Vinçotte both
relating to bioplastics. Materials made of renewable resources are certificated3
based on ASTM D6866
standard by both certification bodies. Certificates [3] for biodegradable products are also issued by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) in United States, BioPlastic Association of Japan as well as by other widely used certification organisations. List of the main certification organisations for bioplastics are shown in Table 1.
Continued on page 14 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.175 JUNE 2023 13
Packaging recoverable in the form of material recycling.
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