SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAINS
“ This is not surprising . Data reporting calls for an entirely new set of metrics and , while brands and importers take on liability for the fees , non-fee-paying businesses are still required to report on the volume of materials sold into the four UK nations .
“ As with any other product , the application of materials in packaging manufacture is not restricted by national boundaries .
“ Analysis using Valpak ’ s Product Data Hub – a tool used to collect the packaging weights and composition needed under pEPR – shows that , while the majority of suppliers to the UK are based in Europe , over 1,600 hail from the Americas and more than 1,100 are based in Asia .”
How can businesses respond ? “ If brands are to succeed in sourcing this new set of data from suppliers in time to meet reporting deadlines , hey need to make contact early and provide clear expectations .
“ The first step on the road to change is to assess the current state of play . A full appraisal will help to identify the impact of areas such as shipping and container fill or product protection requirements . It should also provide a packaging specification that details the composition and quantity of materials used .
“ When it comes to pEPR costs , benchmarking is invaluable . At Valpak , we use the information in our database to benchmark products from every sector and we often identify significant savings .
“ For example , reducing the use of problematic polymers and increasing the amount of paper in the packaging of small car toys – to replicate the best packaging in their class – brands using the average packaging for the market could reduce pEPR costs by over 51 %.
“ For those ready for change , applying hypothetical modifications to packaging design can save time and money .
“‘ What If …’ modelling allows businesses to compare the potential impact of change against existing products . They can then opt for the product that fulfils their goals .”
Do it – because it ’ s worth doing “ As pEPR spreads across the globe , these behaviours will become embedded in our business practices .
“ Lightweighting of packaging products or eliminating components altogether represent quickfire ways to achieve lower pEPR bills . But packaging improvement can reduce impact across the entire value chain – from cutting carbon emissions and monitoring carbon footprint , to taking steps to achieve net zero , building supply chain resilience , reducing waste and optimising packaging .”
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