Fiber-based composite packaging is becoming increasingly popular as brands shift towards sustainable materials. Cheap, yet eco-friendly, fiber-based packaging doesn’t compromise on protection, printability, and shelf appeal. As such, it has the potential to replace plastic in many applications, such as pouches and wrappers, coated paper cups, molded fiber trays, toothpaste tubes, etc.
Even so, there is a lot of work ahead to make this packaging more sustainable. To that end, UK manufacturers in the fiber-based packaging value chain formed an alliance that will focus on promoting the material. To begin with, the “Alliance for Fibre-Based Packaging” will advocate for the increased use of fiber-based packaging across multiple industries. Moreover, the alliance will work to ensure a level playing field between companies and maximum acceptability within the country’s fiber collection and recycling system. Ultimately, development in recycling and waste management is also in the card for the alliance.
“I look forward to developing a partnership with the Alliance for Fibre-Based Packaging to ensure that fiber and fiber-based packaging is designed to be recyclable while also protecting the product within it,” said Paul Sanderson, chief executive of The Recycling Association. “Working across the value chain is essential as we look to develop the circular economy, and the Alliance will be a vital part of that.”
Neil Whittall, head of sustainability at Huhtamaki Fiber Foodservice EAO and co-chair of the “Alliance for Fibre-Based Packaging,” also emphasized that collecting, sorting, and recycling fiber-based packaging is essential as it becomes more common across various industries.
Apart from Huhtamaki, founding members of the alliance include Seda, Benders Paper Cups, Colpac, Sonoco, ProAmpac, Coveris, Sabert, Graphic Packaging. The Vending and Automated Retail Association (AVA) and the European Carton Makers Association (ECMA) are also part of the alliance.
The launch of the alliance will also coincide with UK’s Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR), introduced in December 2024. According to the initiative, producers will need to fund the full cost of managing packaging waste. Meanwhile, the Simpler Recycling initiative, introduced in 2023, will require waste selection from companies with 10 or more full-time employees by March 31, 2025.
