Packaging should be recyclable by 2030. Eurosac and CEPI Eurokraft have published guidelines for companies that produce or use kraft sack paper for recyclable design. The Paper Sacks - Design for Recyclability Guidelines can be used to maximise recyclability.
„Our industry has set itself the goal of developing high-quality, sustainable packaging for dry bulk products that supports the transition to a bio-based, low-carbon and circular economy. One of the key areas of action we have defined in our roadmap is to ensure that paper bags are recycled at a high rate after use. Our new guide provides all stakeholders along the value chain with useful information on how to ensure the recyclability of their packaging.“
Catherine Plitzko-Kerninon, General Delegate at EUROSAC, the European Association of Paper Bag Manufacturers
A new Draft regulation of the European Commission provides that Collection and recycling structures for packaging must be available on a large scale, for a product to be considered recyclable. It must be possible to collect the packaging at collection centres and sort it properly. In addition, packaging should be designed in such a way that it is compatible with existing recycling systems and processes. The impact on recyclability should therefore be taken into account when selecting and using packaging materials.
Paper sacks make up only a small proportion of all paper packaging in Europe (1.5 per cent). There are therefore No Europe-wide recycling system specifically for paper bags. They are usually collected as part of mixed paper packaging waste for recycling. The average paper bag consists of 91.7 per cent from paper, 2 per cent from adhesives and 1.1 per cent from printing inks. The remainder (5.2 per cent) consists largely of polyethylene film, which acts as a moisture barrier and ends up in the reject stream at most recycling plants. Our goal as an industry is to recycle every ingredient in the paper sack as much as possible. As a predominantly fibre-based packaging solution, paper sacks are inherently recyclable. However, there are a number of features, specifications and designs of sack constructions that can affect recyclability.
The “Paper Sacks - Design for Recyclability Guidelines“ contain Recommendations for all materials, which are used in industrial paper sacks. The various fibre types and the additives that may be present in kraft sack paper are dealt with here. With regard to the non-fibre components, the document provides Information on the importance of various barriers to recyclability. These barriers are necessary to keep the packaged product safe. There is also information on printing inks, paints and adhesives as well as additional elements such as carrying handles and glued-in plastic windows.
„With this bundled information, all players in the paper sack industry are well equipped to optimise the recyclability of their paper sacks on the market.“
Catherine Plitzko-Kerninon
The “Paper Sacks - Design for Recyclability Guidelines“ can be downloaded from the EUROSAC website can be downloaded. Various methods and guidelines for the recycling-friendly design of paper bags were used in the development of the document. Since As recycling technologies and legislation in Europe are changing rapidly, the guide will be updated regularly.
Source: EUROSAC
