Better packaging for BETTER

VERSION 01 Contents This guide includes all the information you need for designing eco-responsible packaging.

Introduction ...... 3

Container types

Aluminum and other metal ...... 4

Bottles and ...... 5

Boxes ...... 6. .

Clamshell packaging ...... 7

Bags ...... 8

Jars ...... 9

Other components ...... 10. .

Checklist: environmentally responsible packaging ...... 11

Key terms ...... 12

Composting ...... 13

External resources ...... 14

2 VERSION 01 Introduction Metro’s packaging and printed matter management policy

Thanks to numerous initiatives over the years, Metro has an effective process for guiding its teams and suppliers in managing packaging and printed matter, covering both optimization and reduction . With this important initiative,Metro will adopt practices designed to reduce the use of resources, limit product loss and reduce waste, while contributing to the global movement to eliminate single- use plastics . Building on recognized product life-cycle and circular economy concepts, the Policy is based on the following four principles:

“In 2019, Metro published the fi rst version of its packaging management policy. Our private are proud to be a cornerstone of the policy. Packaging is central to our efforts to protect and ensure the quality of the products we sell. However, once the product is consumed, its packaging becomes waste. Fortunately, we have the power to change things by working together. For Metro, raising awareness about responsible packaging is one way to support a circular economy model. By optimizing packaging design and increasing the proportion of recycled materials in our packaging, we will be able to reduce our environmental footprint. Because we support the recycling of packaging and the use of renewable materials, we can offer our customers more effective, innovative and . Now it’s your turn to make the most of this unique opportunity. Become one of Metro’s partners in this transition to a responsible future.” — Marie-France Gibson Vice-president, Metro Brands

3 VERSION 01 Aluminum and other metal containers Steel and aluminum have the benefit of being infinitely recyclable. Single-material packages are preferred.

Caps for aerosol cans • Use additive-free caps.

Sleeves Metal can for food • Use sleeves as little as possible, since they are hard for consumers and recycling centres to remove.

Drink can Labels

• Opt for direct (fully recyclable); Aerosol can • If a must be added, use ; • Opt for glued (cut and stack) labels; • Labels must contain at least 80% post-consumer recycled material.

• Avoid non-recyclable laminated paper or plastic; • Do not use UV varnish; • Avoid self- labels; • BPA-based products are prohibited.

: recommended : prohibited or not recommended

4 VERSION 01 and jugs Single-material packages are preferred.

Plastic

• When possible, choose materials with recycled content; • Use at least 80% post-consumer glass in your • Opt for RPET (minimum 25%, 100% recommended); packaging. • Opt for HDPE.

• Do not use from agricultural sources (e.g. made from sugarcane); • Avoid biodegradable plastics (that break down in nature); • Avoid industrially compostable materials; • Do not use PLA, which is not recyclable; • Rigid PVC is prohibited; • The use of BPA is prohibited; • Limit the use of phthalates; • Limit the use of additives and dyes.

Labels

• If a label must be added, use paper; • Opt for glued (cut and stack) labels; • Labels must contain at least 80% post-consumer recycled material; • Thermal printing is recommended for labels on plastic.

• Avoid self-adhesive labels; • Avoid non-recyclable laminated paper or plastic; • Do not use UV varnish.

: recommended : prohibited or not recommended

5 VERSION 01 Single-material packages are preferred (same material for / and ).

Plastic Paper and cardboard

• Opt for materials with recycled content when possible; • Require at least 80% post-consumer recycled fibre; • Choose RPET (minimum 25%, 100% recommended); • Virgin fibre content must come from sustainably managed • Opt for single-material packaging; forests; • Choose HDPE (minimum 25% recycled material). • All virgin fibre must be certified (by FSC MIXTE or FSC Recyclé or PEFC-Recycled or SFI). Windows • Avoid bioplastics from agricultural sources (e.g. made from • Opt for cellulose (biomass) film. sugarcane); • Do not use biodegradable plastics (that break down in nature); • Avoid industrially compostable materials; • The use of foil on boxes is prohibited, because it makes them • Avoid non-recyclable plastic laminate; non-recyclable; Window box • Rigid PVC is prohibited; • The use of multi-material laminate is prohibited, since it is • Polystyrene and expanded polystyrene are prohibited; not recyclable. • The use of BPA is prohibited; • Limit the use of phthalates; Metal can • Limit the use of additives and dyes. Steel

Gable top carton Labels Metal cans • Require a minimum of 80% post-consumer content.

• Opt for direct printing (fully recyclable); Tetra Pak carton • If a label must be added, use paper; • Opt for glued (cut and stack) labels; • Labels must contain at least 80% post-consumer recycled material.

• Avoid non-recyclable laminated paper or plastic; • Do not use UV varnish; • Avoid self-adhesive labels.

: recommended : prohibited or not recommended

6 VERSION 01 packaging Single-material packages are preferred.

Plastic Paper and cardboard

• Opt for a minimum of 50% post-consumer • Use a minimum of 80% recycled content; content; • Post-consumer content is necessary; • Always choose recycled content when it is • For clamshell packaging, opt for moulded food-safe; paper (as in egg ); • Choose RPET. • All virgin fibre must be certified (by FSC MIXTE or FSC Recyclé or PEFC-Recycled or SFI). Clamshell packaging • Avoid bioplastics from agricultural sources (e.g. made from sugarcane); • Avoid multi-material laminate, which is • Do not use biodegradable plastics (that break non-recyclable. down in nature); Dome • Avoid industrially compostable materials; • Avoid non-recyclable plastic laminate; • Rigid PVC is prohibited; • Polystyrene and expanded polystyrene are prohibited; • The use of BPA is prohibited; • Limit the use of phthalates; • Limit the use of additives and dyes.

: recommended : prohibited or not recommended

7 VERSION 01

Plastic Paper and cardboard

• Minimum 50% post-consumer content for • For paper, a minimum of 80% post-consumer non-food-grade plastic; recycled fibre is necessary; • Opt for recycled content when food-grade. • All virgin fibre must be certified (by FSC MIXTE or FSC Recyclé or PEFC-Recycled or SFI).

• Avoid bioplastics from agricultural sources (e.g. made from sugarcane); • Avoid non-recyclable multi-material • Do not use biodegradable plastics (that break laminates. down in nature); • Avoid industrially compostable materials; Stand-up pouch •  Avoid non-recyclable plastic laminate; (doypack) • PVC is prohibited; • Nylon is prohibited; • The use of BPA is prohibited; Pillow pack • Limit the use of phthalates; • Limit the use of additives and dyes.

Side gusset

Flat bottom gusset

: recommended : prohibited or not recommended

8 VERSION 01 Single-material is preferred (lid and main container), or aluminum lid.

Glass Plastic

• Require at least 80% post-consumer content for glass. • When possible, opt for recycled content; • Opt for RPET (minimum 25%, 100% recommended); • Opt for HDPE (minimum 25% of recycled material); • Opt for single-material plastics. Sleeves • The use of plastic sleeves on bottles and jars is prohibited, because it renders the containers non-recyclable. • Avoid bioplastics from agricultural sources (e.g. made from sugarcane); • Do not use biodegradable plastics (that break down in nature); • Avoid industrially compostable materials; Labels • Avoid non-recyclable plastic laminate; • Rigid PVC is prohibited; • The use of BPA is prohibited; • Recycled content greater than 80%; • Polystyrene and expanded polystyrene are prohibited; • All virgin fibre must be certified (by FSC MIXTE or FSC Recyclé • Limit the use of phthalates; or PEFC-Recycled or SFI); • Limit the use of additives and dyes. • Opt for thermal printing or direct printing of labels on jars; • If a label must be added, use paper; • Opt for glued (cut and stack) labels.

• Avoid plastic laminate or laminated paper, neither of which is recyclable; • Do not use UV varnish; • Avoid self-adhesive labels.

: recommended : prohibited or not recommended

9 VERSION 01 Other components The use of a single material is preferred (cover and main container).

Plastic Paper and cardboard

• Opt for recycled content when possible; • Minimum 80% post-consumer recycled fibre; • Opt for RPET; • All virgin fibre must be certified (by FSC MIXTE • Choose single-material recyclable plastics. or FSC Recyclé or PEFC-Recycled or SFI).

• Avoid bioplastics from agricultural sources (e.g. made from sugarcane); Container • Do not use biodegradable plastics (that break down in nature); • Avoid industrially compostable materials; • Avoid non-recyclable plastic laminate; • Rigid PVC is prohibited; Lid • Polystyrene and expanded polystyrene are prohibited; • The use of BPA is prohibited; • Limit the use of phthalates; • Limit the use of additives and dyes. Induction seal

Labels Cup

• Recycled content greater than 80%; • All virgin fibre must be certified (by FSC MIXTE or FSC Recyclé Tamper-evident or PEFC-Recycled or SFI); seal • Opt for thermal printing or direct printing of labels on jars; • If a label must be added, use paper; • Opt for glued (cut and stack) labels.

• Avoid non-recyclable; • Do not use UV varnish; • Avoid self-adhesive labels.

: recommended : prohibited or not recommended

10 VERSION 01 Checklist: environmentally responsible packaging Favoured practices for designing environmentally responsible packaging.

Eco-design requirements Recyclability requirements

Practices to use Yes Practices to use Yes

Eliminate overpackaging 1. Single-material packaging

1.1 Have non-structural components been eliminated? 2. Multi-material yet easy to separate packaging 3. Packaging compliant with recycling practices in Quebec and Ontario 1.2 Has the total number of components been minimized? 4. Is the nature of the different materials used in the packaging clearly Reduce the quantity of material (without compromising product integrity) identified?

2.1 Has the weight of components been minimized? 4.1 Does each plastic include the symbol identifying the resin used?

Reduce head-space 4.2 Is each material identified*?

3.1 Has unnecessary head-space or empty-space been eliminated? Improve the consumer experience What about plastic? 4.1 Does the packaging help minimize product loss from use? Practices to use Yes 4.2 Does the packaging maximize the product’s shelf-life? 1. The package is made of PET, HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE or PP 4.3 Does the packaging facilitate portioning? 2. The package is transparent or light-coloured 4.4 Is the packaging easy to handle or open? 3. The package contains no degradable additives 4.5 Is the packaging resealable? 4. The label is made of the same material as the container Optimize packaging for handling and shipping 5. The is made of the same material as the container 5.1 Have palettization and cube configuration been optimized? 6. Removable caps are made of HDPE or PP 5.2 Has the amount of secondary packaging been reduced? 7. Non-removable elements are made of the same material as the packaging 5.3 Has the amount of tertiary packaging been reduced? 8. When authorized by law, the recycled content is more than 25%

11 VERSION 01 Key terms

Term Definition

Any material that can be transformed and reintroduced into a production cycle for the manufacture Recyclable of new packaging.

Post-consumer Material collected through recycling after use by the consumer. The material is sent for recycling recycled content and transformed.

Post-industrial Packaging material from material producers and printers; may be combined with virgin material. content

Responsible Virgin material certified by the FSC, PEFC or other recognized sustainable source. paper pulp

Virgin material Material sourced directly from the raw material, being used for the first time.

Recycled material Material transformed and reintroduced into the production cycle for new packaging.

12 VERSION 01 Composting To be compostable, packaging must follow these rules:

1 .It must disintegrate (fragment) and be invisible in the final compost . After three months, the mass of residue must be less than 10% of the initial mass .

2 . It must be biodegradable, i .e . have the capacity to convert into CO2 through the action of microorganisms (90% of the must occur within 6 months) . 3 .It must not have any negative effects on the composting process . 4 . The heavy metal content must be lower than certain maximum values and must not have any negative effect on the final compost. Did you know? The use of compostable packaging is desirable only when appropriate composting facilities exist (industrial composting, biomethanation) to process Warning this type of packaging. If such infrastructure is not • Never accept biodegradable additives: they disrupt recycling processes and do not available, compostable materials may contaminate improve compostability. the recycling process or simply go to landfill. The • Avoid so-called oxo-degradable plastics because they lead to the formation materials currently used for creating compostable of microplastics. packaging are not designed to degrade in the normal conditions found in domestic composters. • Avoid home composting. Source: AGECO

13 VERSION 01 External resources

Partner Contact / address Mission statement Sustainability-related products and services

• Turnkey consulting services: guidance, development and support for all your sustainability projects; • Ecodesign, systems optimization, processes and packaging, legislation, Marina Pietrosel • Knowledge / determination / reliability / regulation, performance measurement, strategic communication, re-use of SustainableStrat Inc. honesty ; resources, circular economy; Consulting services in Quebec, Ontario, • Benefit from vast expertise for all your • Analysis of the process is based on the logical principles of the value chain: other provinces and the United States sustainability projects, particularly those the design of an environmentally responsible package or product must 3870 rue de la Goudrelle, concerning waste materials. Find tangible, consider the entire reclamation and recycling system. This process guarantees Saint-Lazare, Quebec, J7T 2N1 reliable and viable solutions using a positive outcome at the end of the useful life of a container, package or [email protected] technology, strategy, communications product. As a result, the process moderates, stabilizes and optimizes legal 450-458-1599 / 514-898-1599 and policy actions. and regulatory compliance and extended producer responsibility (EPR). This obligation comprises reimbursement of collection costs, and the sorting and processing of containers, packaging, printed matter and other products subject to environmental quality laws in Quebec and across .

Andrea May PAC Packaging Consortium Toronto, Ontario • A world without . • PAC Next, PAC Food. [email protected] 416-995-1927 http://www.pac.ca/Programs/Next/

Bruno Ponsard • Development and optimization of packaging (ecodesign) ; • ITEGA works with companies on their ITEGA • R&D on new materials and packaging solutions; packaging and food-engineering • R&D on designed to reduce food waste; Montreal, Quebec related innovation processes through • [email protected] applied research, technical support and Performance testing of packaging materials; 514-255-4444, ext. 6223 technology watch • Technology transfer in processes and packaging, to improve the www.itega.ca of foods.

14 VERSION 01 Partner Contact / address Mission statement Sustainability-related products and services

Julie-Anne Chayer Vice-president, • Groupe AGÉCO offers consulting and Corporate responsibility department • Ecodesign, packaging optimization, environmental fees consulting, responsible custom projects to help you navigate the sourcing, consulting on corporate social responsibility strategy, carbon budget, Groupe AGECO new business environment that requires GHG targets, CSR report, life-cycle analysis, green buildings, total cost of Montreal and Quebec City a balance between performance, quality ownership, environmental certification. [email protected] and social acceptability. 514-439-9724, ext. 239 www.groupeageco.ca

• Éco Entreprises Québec is a private non- • Represent companies required to pay their share of net costs for efficient profit corporation working toward the and effective municipal selective collection programs, from a sustainability establishment of a circular economy perspective. Geneviève Dionne for recyclable materials by supporting • Guide companies in the development of eco-responsible packaging, including: Director, eco-design the development of environmentally - Customized guidance under certain conditions, including training for and circular economy responsible, collaborative and innovative companies seeking to initiate a process for designing eco-responsible solutions. Focusing on sustainable Éco Entreprises Québec packaging. development and extended producer 1600 René-Lévesque Blvd. West, - With the OptimEco.ca portal, which also offers a large set of tools for helping responsibility, the organization represents Montreal, Quebec, H3B 1P9 companies implement an eco-design process, including concrete examples companies that sell containers, packaging [email protected] of eco-design by companies in a variety of industries, as well as studies. 514-987-1491, ext. 222 and printed materials while fulfilling their obligation to fund selective collection in • Encourage efforts to increase the use of reclaimed materials, in partnership www.eeq.ca Quebec. Over the last 15 years, nearly $1B with municipalities and other industry partners, through selective collection has been invested in Quebec in this way. at the lowest possible cost. For more information, visit eeq.ca. • Help the industry find market opportunities and improve sorting technologies.

• Pigeon is a brand strategy and design agency, and a packaging design consulting firm; • Evaluate the needs and expectations of our clients at the start of each project. Peter Pigeon • Our services include environmentally • Provide a comprehensive vision and concrete ideas for reducing the packaging Director of operations responsible packaging solutions to help footprint at each step in the process, from strategy to design to production. Pigeon Brands our clients minimize their environmental • Provide effective counsel to help our clients avoid greenwashing. th 480 Saint-Laurent Blvd., 7 floor, footprint; • Work closely with our packaging scientist, suppliers and buyers to meet Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 3Y7 • Our goal is to offer our clients sustainable marketing requirements. [email protected] solutions, whether iterative or optimized; • Recommend materials with optimal recycled-material content. 514-871-1322, ext. 48 • Our mission is to develop solutions for our • Work to design packages that can be easily recycled with existing infrastructure, www.pigeonbrands.com clients that are well designed, structural avoiding the “product life cycle” scenario. and that use packaging materials with a truly circular life cycle.

15 VERSION 01