The workshop “The 3 Rs of green packaging: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” on 13 January will explore the new frontiers of sustainable packaging.

The planet is too small and fragile and the ecosystem too sensitive to allow it to be filled with abandoned packaging that takes hundreds of years to decompose. Producers and consumers alike recognise a need for smaller and less bulky packaging made from recyclable materials or materials obtained from sustainably managed renewable sources, as well as a new approach to logistics and waste disposal that aims to achieve the goal of “zero waste”.

The large-scale retail system is no exception. Green Packaging is one of the key issues that will be addressed at a workshop to be held during the exhibition Marca in Bologna on 13 and 14 January in the presence of large-scale retailers and their suppliers. The workshop will discuss opinions and trends and will see the participation of all players in the production and distribution chain. Entitled “The 3 Rs of green packaging: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”, it is organised by the Packagingspace staff of BE-MA Editrice in cooperation with the show’s organisers. It will focus on the most topical green packaging issues, including the latest technologies, innovative materials, current regulations and approaches to disposal, recycling and reuse.

A virtuous circle
Green packaging is not just a fashion trend but a new and entirely natural vision of packaging. It first arose when large international brands in a range of sectors – including food and beverages, cosmetics, clothes, fashion and luxury goods – began developing communication and positioning strategies based on sustainability and social responsibility. 

By making a powerful green statement through their products, the big players influenced the entire value chain and spurred the producers to likewise adopt a sustainable approach. At the same time, a similar push came from end consumers, who are now more active in their choices and have greater awareness of what they consume. As a result, the packaging industry has invested in research and development of sustainable solutions, creating new and hitherto unexplored growth opportunities. The workshop to be held during Marca will discuss these opportunities and look at green packaging case histories that use organic, biodegradable or 100% recyclable materials, reduce packaging weight and volume, or focus on energy saving, recyclability and waste reduction.