For decades, the packaging sector has been asking itself: ‘What is environmentally responsible packaging?’ Since the roll-out of the European Green Deal, it is even more important, but also more challenging, to commit to circular packaging. As a result, a lot of misunderstandings and wrong perceptions are circulating about what exactly ecological, circular packaging is. Karine Van Doorsselaer, Senior Lecturer in Materials Science and Ecodesign at UAntwerpen, clears up the issue with her lecture at Empack on Wednesday 22 October.
Ecodesign is about designing products so that they have the smallest possible polluting impact on our planet. But how do you do that? And what do you all need to consider? Karine wants to broaden the view of every stakeholder involved in packaging and help avoid wrong decisions by sharing her insights.
Ecological material does not exist
“Very often the search for ecological packaging is reduced to the question ‘What is an ecological material for packaging?'” says Karine. “This is a totally wrong approach because there is no such thing as an ecological material. Ecodesign is about using materials in an ecologically sound way with a focus on optimal protection of the packaged product.”
Today’s trend is to replace all plastic packaging with (coated) paper-based ones: “That is definitely not a good ecological approach. The challenge is to minimise the environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle of the packaging system, consisting of product and packaging, and to optimise functionality,” Karine explains.
Circular packaging
Another misconception is that circular packaging is limited to recycling and using recycled materials. “However, recycling is the very last strategy in the circular economy,” she says. “The essence of the circular economy is value retention. The challenge is therefore to work out reusable packaging systems within the specific context.”
With her lecture, Karine provides a roadmap to work with when designing and deploying ecologically sound and circular packaging. “I hope that everyone who follows the lecture will gain insight into life-cycle thinking and systems thinking, and realise that it is a joint responsibility to make the circular economy possible.”
Are you professionally involved in packaging design yourself? Or are you simply fascinated by how we all need to ensure a sustainable future? Then this lecture is not to be missed!
