9 October 2013 Brussels In His Opening Video Message At The Europen 20th Anniversary Event Eu Commissioner For The Environment Janez Potonik Underlined Ldquoit Is Clear That Packaging Can Have A Direct Positive Effect On Resource Efficiency By For Instance Packagingrsquos Role In The Prevention Of Food Losses On The Way To The Shops On The Shelves And In Our Kitchensrdquo This Point Was Also Taken Up During The Panel Discussion Including Europen Members Sharing Their Experience In Implementing The Requirements Of Eu Waste Legislation And Providing An Opportunity To Discuss Priorities For The Upcoming Review Of The Packaging And Packaging Waste Directive Ppwdnbspldquoover The Past 10 Years We Have Seen A Further Decoupling Of Packaging Waste And Economic Growth As Also Acknowledged By Commissioner Potonikrdquo Said Martin Reynolds Europen Chairman In His Address At The Anniversary Event He Added Ldquowe Are Encouraged That The Packaging Supply Chainrsquos Efforts Are Recognised And Hope That A Revised Ppwd Will Continue To Support An Effective Internal Market And Enhance The Endoflife Management Of Packaging Waste In Line With The Commissionrsquos Roadmap For A Resource Efficient Europerdquonbspincreasing Collection For Recycling Or Recovery Of Postconsumer Packaging Will Be An Important Step Towards Accelerating Europersquos Transition To A Circular Economy During The Panel Discussion Louis Lindenberg Global Packaging Sustainability Director Unilever Commented That Ldquoeuropen Members Welcome Efforts To Tackle Postconsumer Packaging We Believe That Feasible And Realistic Recycling And Recovery Targets Should Be Combined With A Requirement To Collect Separately Postconsumer Packaging In The Ppwdrdquonbspextended Producer Responsibility Epr A Key Policy Tool For Implementing Requirements Of The Ppwd And Meeting Packaging Waste Recycling And Recovery Targets Was Also A Focus Of Discussions Ldquoeuropen Members Believe It Will Be Critical To Introduce Minimum Requirements For All Epr Schemes To Ensure A Levelplaying Field Across The Eu And Discourage Free Riding A Clearer Definition Of Roles And Responsibilities Is Also Needed For Epr Schemes To Continue Delivering On Recovery And Recycling Targets Set By Legislationrdquo Said Sabine Strnad Director Resource Recovery Cocacola Hellenicnbspvirginia Janssens Europen Managing Director Closed The Event Noting The Importance Of Building On The Packaging Supply Chainrsquos Achievements But At The Same Time Highlighting That Ldquonew Challenges Related To The Environmental Objective Of The Ppwd Require The Directive To Be Updated So That It Can Continue To Be Relevant And Effective If Our Industry Is To Continue On Its Path Towards A Resource Efficient Economy This Directive Has Proven To Be A Successful And Appropriate Tool For Driving The Recovery And Recycling Of All Packaging Waste As It Is Tailored To The Unique Properties Of Packaging And Packaging Wasterdquonbspnbsp1nbsp Primary And Secondary Packaging Generated By Households Awayfromhome And At Closed Surroundings Eg Small Businesses Bars Restaurants Public Events Schools Insofar As The Type Of Packagingvolumes Consumed Are Similar To Householdsnbspon 9 October Europen Ndash The European Organization For Packaging And The Environment Ndash Celebrated Its 20th Anniversary By Organising A Debate On The Packaging Supply Chainrsquos Contribution Towards A Resource Efficient Europe The Event Brought Together Over 150 Representatives From Eu Institutions The Packaging Supply Chain The Waste Management Sector Ngos Media And Other Actors With A Stake In Packaging And Sustainabilitynbspthe Speeches Of Europen Chairman Martin Reynolds And Managing Director Virginia Janssens And Commissioner Potonikrsquos Video Message Can Be Found On The Europen Website
