Sustainability – how serious can we be?

When we talk to those setting up new packaging projects, especially in flexible packaging, sustainability is not a priority. When we talk to established packaging companies, economic sustainability, and profitability to sustain growth come before environmental and social sustainability. It is a complicated and evolutionary road to move from Central Pollution Control Board regulations whereby brand owners have to merely pay for the collection of packaging waste equivalent to what they use. To improve the use of materials and processes that will allow lateral recycling of packaging waste rather than down-cycling is challenging. It requires more than just financial commitment by the brand owners. Brand owners are compelled to follow the CPC regulations on packaging waste and show their compliance. However, for some brand owners, it merely means that they pay a waste collection agency or company for picking up or procuring packaging waste of an equivalent tonnage to what they use. In many cases, they merely cite the certificates or numbers they are paying for in their compliance documents. The price of packaging is…

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