Sausage packaging falls under single-use plastic fund
The Federal Environment Agency has issued a general ruling on the legal categorisation of food packaging for 150 gram sausages.
The trade magazine for the packaging industry
Now that the Central Agency Packaging Register has published the updated minimum standard, the BDE Federal Association of the German Waste, Water and Recycling Industry has spoken out. The association welcomes the changes, but sees potential in the further development of the Packaging Act.
„Although there are still unanswered questions about the technical details, it is important that the industry as a whole commits to design for recycling, which is fundamentally orientated towards the mechanical recyclability of the material.“
Peter Kurth, BDE - President
The association president thus commented on the recent publication of the Central office. In coordination with the Federal Environment Agency, this Updated edition of the minimum standard for assessing the recyclability of packaging subject to system participation presented.
Kurth emphasised, however, that beyond the positive effect of the minimum standard further measures are needed to support the transformation of packaging towards a circular economy. The creation of financial incentives for the recycling-friendly design of packaging and the use of recyclates is essential for this. The amendment of Section 21 of the Packaging Act in particular offers a key lever for this, in order to create a create sufficient incentives for circular packaging design.
„The dual systems have already developed a fund model that favours manufacturers who bring a high level of recyclable packaging onto the market. We regret that this model has not yet been anchored in the Packaging Act. Nevertheless, we remain optimistic that Section 21 of this law will be taken into account in the forthcoming amendment. The objectives of the law can only actually be realised if the legal framework is put in place quickly and the players along the entire value chain cooperate.“
Peter Kurth
The minimum standard is revised annually in consultation with the Federal Environment Agency and a group of experts, which also includes the BDE is represented. This involves a Illustration of the current state of technical development and criteria for improving the recycling of packaging. The Central Office has just published the fifth edition of the minimum standard.
Source: BDE
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