Arguing that the Commission’s latest proposals ‘will lead to undesired outcomes,’ the company is urging that recyclable polymeric-coated and polymer-lined paperboard are excluded from the definition of plastic in order to ‘secure well-performing and sustainable packaging in Europe.’
With the majority of its foodservice products already made from renewable and recyclable materials, Huhtamaki said it “supports the work on climate change and the legislative guidance for responsible consumption, littering prevention and recycling.”
However, it warns that the SUP proposal “threatens to act against its purpose in restricting the recyclable products, which typically include only 5-10% plastic and can replace wholly plastic products.”
“Recyclable polymeric-coated and polymer-lined paperboard should be excluded from the definition of plastic. The directive should not hinder the use and development of this renewable and recyclable raw material in Europe and leave the foodservice sector without a well-performing packaging solution.
“Coated paperboards, which are both recyclable and are being recycled across Europe, typically include less than 10% plastic, and can replace wholly plastic products.
“They reduce plastics consumption significantly and replace many plastic products with fibre from sustainably managed forests. Sustainably managed forests play a role in addressing climate change.
“(Huhtamaki) continues innovating with paperboard manufacturers, chemical industry and our customers in order to find alternative barriers to plastic and manufacture the best possible food packaging.
“A closer legislative guidance will help increase recycling rates and speed up innovation. Regardless of the materials chosen to produce foodservice packaging, their collection and recycling needs to increase, and the required infrastructure should be prioritized.
“It is important not to categorize foodservice packaging for consumption reduction measures but to work for increasing collection and recycling through the entire value chain.
“We believe it is entirely possible to achieve a proposal that delivers a higher level of ambition without the unintended consequences we have outlined. “Huhtamaki also calls for more coherence between SUP and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive.”