KESPRO Table of Contents
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Plastic packaging in K Group KESPRO Table of contents 1. Promoting sustainability with our plastics policy 3 What is the plastics policy? 3 Achieving our targets gradually and responsibly 4 What does the plastics policy meanin practice? 5 EU’s SUP Directive in a nutshell 5 2. Plastic packaging 6 Colour and composition of packaging 7 Labelling 8 Package sealing 8 Package markings and wrappers 8 3. Plastic has many uses 9 Uses and recyclability of plastics 9 Low-density polyethylene film (LDPE) 9 High-density polyethylene packaging (HDPE) 10 Polypropylene packaging (PP) 10 Polypropylene film (PP) 10 Polyethylene terephthalates (A-PET, C-PET and PET-G) 11 Polystyrene and expanded polystyrene (PS and EPS) 11 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) 11 Bio-based, biodegradable or compostable plastic – do you know the difference 12 From plastic waste to recycled plastic 13 The plastic cycle – from waste to raw material! 14 4. Plastic products 15 1. Promoting sustainability with our plastics policy 3 Plastic conserves and protects food, reducing tain requirements on operators in the retail sector and the food waste, but it causes major problems when EU directives on packaging waste and single-use plastics What is the plastics policy? it ends up in natural environments and water will have a concrete effect on the day-to-day operations of bodies. retail stores. The objective of Kesko’s plastics policy is to reduce the use of plastic and promote its recycling. EU’s directive 2019/904 for curbing the harmful impact of It is important to understand that promoting better product certain plastic products on the environment will be imple- design, efficient recovery and recycling of plastic and miti- We will reduce the use of plastic and promote its recycling. mented in national legislation in July 2021. The objective of gation of the harmful impacts of plastic are globally relevant issues, as well as being a prerequisite for the continuity of Kesko’s plastics policy (published 10/2018) is to reduce the Our objective is that, by the end of 2025, all of the packaging used in our own use of plastic and promote its recycling. operating activity in all industries. brand products is recyclable, reusable or biodegradable. It is increasingly important to consider environmental is- Together with our goods suppliers, we continuously seek Our objective is to reduce the amount of plastic contained in the packaging of our own brand products by 20% by the end of 2025. sues, recycling and consumer opinions when designing new models for introducing easily recyclable or reusable packaging and circular economy products to our selections. packaging and products. Stricter legislation also places cer- We are creating ways of working that prevent the contamination of water bodies and other natural areas with plastic. We will guide our customers in the responsible use and recycling of plastic. (Read more: kesko.fi/en/plasticspolicy) 1. Promoting sustainability with our plastics policy 4 ACHIEVING OUR TARGETS GRADUALLY AND RESPONSIBLY Good examples of With its plastics policy, Kesko is preparing for changes in its operating environment and promoting the main goal of plastic reduction: sustainability – after all, sustainable use of plastic is also intrinsically linked to the reduction of food waste. The policy does not mean that everything will change immediately, however. We will progress towards our 2025 targets gradually and responsibly; changes will be applied in a way that does not cause unnecessary costs or wastage. • We will favour packaging design that supports the plastics policy when purchasing new products. • We will transition to better choices when products are updated or changed (new label/package size etc.). • We will advance the principles of the plastics policy at The fibre-based EcoFishBox Domestic, fully compostable Menu Plastic-free cucumbers are well other suitable occasions, such as when product batches replaces expanded polystyrene product range’s Eco cups, plates and suited for the HoReCa industry run out or when switching to a new manufacturer. (styrofoam) packaging for fish. dispenser paper napkins are a respon- where the shelf life cycle is short. sible choice for events and takeaway The objective of the plastics policy is to increase recyclability sales. Unbleached, soft dispenser and gradually reduce the amount of plastic. For instance, fa- paper napkins are manufactured from vouring refill pack solutions helps reduce waste and the car- FSC certified, compostable fibres. bon footprint. 1. Promoting sustainability with our plastics policy 5 What does the plastics policy mean in practice? EU’S SUP* DIRECTIVE IN A NUTSHELL Cooperation between Kesko, goods suppliers • Avoid dark or black plastic. Carbon black plastic packaging EU’s directive (2019/904) is going to restrict and ban the use of certain and packaging manufacturers is crucial for cannot be sorted with current technology. Dark coloured single-use plastics in the future. The goal of the SUP directive is to curb the harmful reducing the amount of plastic and increasing plastic, meanwhile, results in grey recycled plastic with impacts of plastic products on the environment, particularly seas and marine recyclability. You can use this checklist to limited uses. environments. It is a step towards moving into circular economy with the promotion support Kesko’s plastics policy. • Choose packaging with an easily detachable label and of innovative and multifunctional materials. water-soluble print/glue (except when the packaging must • Avoid plastic packaging that contains aluminium and other withstand moisture). The ban will apply to plastic cutlery, plates, straws and cotton buds whereas restric- metals. Ask the manufacturer whether the tops, lids, tear-off • When purchasing biodegradable plastic bags, choose fully tions focus on i.a. plastic cups and food containers. The directive is to be imple- lids, caps and seals can be manufactured from the same type of compostable bio bags that comply with the EN 13432 mented in national legislation by the summer of 2021. More details on the bans and plastic as the rest of the package. certificate. restrictions will be available once the legislation is completed. • Avoid plastic alloys and unnecessary multilayer packaging where an individual plastic film contains different types of *SUP (Single-Use Plastics) plastic or, for example, both plastic and aluminium. • Don’t purchase products packaged in • Ask the manufacturer whether multilayer packaging can be polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is practically replaced by a transparent mono-material that is much easier non-recyclable. to recycle. • Don’t purchase oxo/d2w-biodegradable plastic bags. 2. Plastic packaging 6 Packaging protects products from damage, oxygen, bacteria, drying and moisture. Plastics policy in K Group: Target -20% Packaging foods in a protective gas can extend by 2025 their selling periods considerably without any avoid–reduce–recycle preservatives – wastage in unpackaged foods is significantly larger than that of properly Make packaging conform to the Minimise the amount of packaging packaged ones. plastics policy by 2025 material, but without compromising • Recyclable, reusable or compostable product safety or preservability. In other words, we can’t give up plastic packaging altogether, No • No black plastic – transparent is but we can develop them. Pressure from customers prompts always best It is better if you opt for only one type Kespro and the whole supplier chain to take recyclability into • Avoid multilayer materials and of plastic. Also check the material used in labels, lids, caps etc. consideration in packaging design. Can plastic be replaced with metallised films • Avoid unnecessary additional another material in packaging Favour packaging in which the print is on substances in plastic Recyclability is dependent on not only the type of plastic but without compromising product a detachable label or wrapper. also the other materials and substances the packaging safety and preservability? contains. Change the material if... Check and, if necessary, change the materials and quantities of transport • There are no significant additional costs packaging. Yes • The product packaging will be changed Target -20% otherwise by 2025 • However, remember to use all the old packaging first 2. Plastic packaging 7 COLOUR AND COMPOSITION OF PACKAGING cannot be recycled as well as packaging manufactured from a single type of plastic. Aluminium and metallisation weaken Taking one step at a time Recycled raw material made from transparent packaging has the quality of recycled plastic significantly, so their use should the widest range of different uses. It can be utilised in various be avoided. Similarly, combination packaging cannot be product applications. There is more demand on the market recycled. Packaging containing plastic and, for instance, towards our targets for transparent plastics, which means their price is also paper or cardboard can only be recycled if the consumer better. separates the different parts from one another before placing In 2025: them in the collection containers. • The packaging of our own brand products will contain Colours, including printed colours, make recycled material 20% less plastic. grey. If a transparent package cannot be used, you can use Additional substances can be used to adjust the different • All packaging of our own brand products will be recyclable, water-soluble print, easily detachable labels or cardboard/ properties of plastics, such as their processability, rigidity, reusable, biodegradable, bio-based or made from renewable plastic tubes instead of dyed plastic. Carbon black plastic protective features (e.g. water, oxygen and fat resistance) or raw materials. packaging cannot be sorted with current NIR (near infrared) colour. Additional substances may impact the recyclability of • The packaging of our own brand products will be labelled technology. Dark grey dyeing can also cause problems. material, for example, by making it harder to identify or weakening the properties of the material it is recycled into. with sorting instructions in plain language. For better recycling, it is always recommended that you choose a mono-material whenever possible.