The latest Business Prevention and Ecodesign Plan (2021-2023) of Ecoembes reflects the effort and commitment of companies which have adopted thousands of measures aiming to make 5.8 billion packages more sustainable.
Ecoembes has been working for more than 25 years for the circular economy through the recycling of packaging and, increasingly, the companies that are part of this organization are keen to adopt measures around the three Rs: reduce, recycle and reuse.
Thus, motivated by strategies that place sustainability at the center, consumers more conscious habits and ambitious legislationthe more than 2,000 companies that are part of the organization have opted for ecodesign as a tool to make their packaging more sustainable.
More than 10,000 measurements
The commitment of these companies is reflected in the latest Business Prevention and Ecodesign Plan (2021-2023) of Ecoembes, period during which they were applied more than 10,400 ecodesign measures1,000 more measures than those implemented in the 2018-2020 plan, which enabled the environmental improvement of the 5.8 billion containers already mentioned.
But where were these more than 10,000 measures applied? According to Ecoembes, those oriented “towards the first R, that of reductionwere the majority: 7,071 measurements, or 68% of the total.
Packaging redesign
These ecodesign measures were focused on packaging redesignfor example, using containers with greater storage capacity.
Reducing its environmental impact was also sought, remove inks or varnishes or using materials from renewable sources, in addition to less use or elimination of the materials necessary for its manufacture.
Recycling, reuse and recyclability
During the period 2021-2023, companies’ commitment to making packaging more easily has also increased significantly. recyclablethat incorporate previously recycled materials or which indicate where they should be deposited once consumed, assuming a total of 3,027 measures, 34% more compared to the previous plan (2,251 measures).
On the contrary, ecodesign measures which seek reuse They remain in the minority: 303 of the total, or a share of 3%. This data reflects the importance of continuing to move towards a more circular model, where reuse plays a greater role.
More sustainable packaging
For businesses to achieve more sustainable packaging Additionally, regulatory obligations force them to focus even more on their circularity.
Indeed, current regulations, with Royal Decree 1055/2022, set ambitious objectives of reduction, reuse and recyclability packaging that companies must respect.
Weight reduction
Among the most notable is the reduction in packaging weight by 13% by 2025, the incorporation of recycled plastic in its composition and the obligation for all packaging to be 100% recyclable by 2030.
“At Ecoembes, we continue to work hand in hand with companies to promote circular economy and reduction of the environmental impact of packaging. In recent years we have made significant progress that has made packaging increasingly easier to recycle,” said Begoña de Benito, director of external relations at Ecoembes.
“Even though the path to reduction and reuse is difficult, business efforts make a difference. With this impulse, we not only comply with current regulations, but we move towards a more circular future“, explains Benito.
Ecodesign in SMEs
By type of business, 62% of those who have applied ecodesign measures are SMEswhich demonstrates its efforts to, in addition to complying with regulations, be closer to the demands and requirements of consumers.
By sector, theThe power supply is the one that activated the most measures, with a total of 5,133 between 2021 and 2023, followed by personal and home carewith a total of 1,988 measurements.
Thanks to eco-design, over these three years,78,600 tonnes of raw materials were saved and the issuance of more than a million tonnes of CO₂.
The role of Ecoembes
For more than 25 years, Ecoembes has been supporting its companies towards move towards more circular packagingrecycled, recyclable and 100% eco-designed and, to help them achieve this, the entity is committed to training and innovation.
In this way, through TheCampusCircularyour training platform for professionals in the sector, Ecoembes has trained more than 2,100 professionals in ecodesign packaging and distribution companies.
Ecodesign with Ecoembes
It also has the Future Packaging Observatory, a packaging knowledge platform which collects and analyzes news and trends emerging around the world in terms of ecodesign, legislation, modification of current production processes or the emergence of new technologies that improve their efficiency, among others.
In addition, thanks to tools such as Pack CD, it offers technical information, analyzes the degree of sustainability of the packaging and allows companies to diagnose, predict and control their environmental behavior.
With this service, constantly updated, Ecoembes helps companies design their packaging with ecodesign criteria and implement the necessary changes to make them more sustainable.
