The members of Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE), which represent the European flexible packaging industry, unanimously agreed a vision on sustainability, at FPE’s first virtual conference, held in June. This reinforces the industry’s commitment to a common position on the circular economy.

The flexible packaging industry has long been at the forefront of addressing the challenges of sustainable development. In particular, flexible packaging is mainly composed of plastics which are often highlighted as “problematic”. So, there is a need to convince and reassure stakeholders about the key sustainability role flexible packaging already plays in Europe and how this will continue to develop and improve in the future.

This joint initiative involves the market leaders and many small and medium sized specialized converters. The Sustainability Vision is targeted at both the industry itself, to offer guidance, as well as other stakeholders. This includes customers, retailers, legislators, and NGOs. It explains the intrinsic environmental and social benefits of flexible packaging and the efforts of the industry to mitigate any problems.

Additionally, it demonstrates how the flexible packaging industry is voluntarily taking a responsible position on the topic. It summarizes the approach and activities of the industry in this respect and how it is working actively towards achieving the goals set out in the vision. These goals are: designing flexible packaging for full effectiveness and minimum environmental footprint, circularity for flexible packaging, zero tolerance of leakage and littering into the environment, and speeding up progress with cooperation.