Pack2Go aims to increase recycling of on-the-go packaging

Europe – Belgium-based Pack2Go Europe, an NGO representing companies that manufacture packaging for the food and beverages consumed on-the-go, has announced the launch of a circular economy initiative for food and beverage service and convenience packaging. The move, which follows a general meeting of Pack2Go Europe’s members in Brussels, is aimed at increasing the amount of on-the-go food packaging that can be recycled.

Pack2Go Europe president Mike Turner of International Paper Foodservice Europe says: ‘More and better out-of-home collection is the key to recycling our products once the consumer has finished his or her drink, snack or meal – whether that is in a restaurant setting or on-the-go – but we can’t make that happen alone. So Pack2Go Europe is announcing today its commitment to bring together key stakeholders in Europe next year. We’ll be calling on them to join us in a sustained initiative to tackle this challenge head on and take these packs into the circular model.’

The NGO’s secretary general Eamonn Bates adds: ‘Pack2Go Europe is calling on the European Parliament and EU member states to amend EU waste legislation so that out-of-home collection of packaging will become a reality in the future. Ensuring everyone works together to separately collect and recycle is the circular approach; measures that will disrupt Europe’s single market are not the solution.’

Pack2Go Europe states that, along with key partners, it can review how food and beverage service and convenience packaging can be more effectively collected, recovered and recycled. The initiative will be focused in two main out-of-home areas: restaurants, canteens and premises where vending machines operate; and public spaces in towns and the countryside.