Berry Superfos advances circular economy goals with new initiatives

Pioneering responsible practices, Berry Global targets 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging by 2025. Key measures, including the removal of metal handles and carbon black, are set to roll out before October 2024.

In its commitment to fostering a circular, net-zero future, Berry Superfos is embarking on new initiatives aimed at ensuring that all its packaging products can be 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.

The strategic vision is clear, says Jamie Riley, sustainability manager at Berry Superfos: “To support our customers in achieving their sustainability goals and continue to propel our own sustainability journey, our goal is to eliminate non-recyclable products from our portfolio by 2025.”

Plastic handles to replace metal
One pivotal move to make the vision a reality involves the elimination of non-plastic components, particularly metal wire handles on industrial pails. Berry Superfos is set to replace metal handles with robust plastic alternatives by October 2024.

Jamie Riley says: “We look forward to introducing our upcoming robust plastic handles, meticulously designed to replace metal handles on the containers that still have them. This initiative aims to create mono-material solutions, significantly enhancing recyclability compared to multi-material packaging products.”

Eliminating carbon black
Another significant step toward circularity is the removal of black carbon-based masterbatches from the production of black packaging solutions, targeted for completion by October 2024. Berry Superfos aims to replace these with detectable, recyclable alternatives, so that packaging materials can be compatible with current recycling sortation systems. Importantly, customers will still have the option to choose black packaging solutions, now utilising a non-carbon black alternative. 

Jamie Riley adds: “Several of our customers have already opted to exclude carbon-black from their packaging solutions. Now, Berry Superfos is on the brink of achieving a complete phase-out of carbon black from our portfolio, transitioning to alternatives detectable by sorting robots. We anticipate reaching this significant milestone no later than October 2024.”

Navigating the regulatory landscape: The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive
These proactive steps are some of the measures taken by Berry Superfos that align with the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWR), an EU regulation designed to combat packaging pollution and foster a circular economy. The legislation has not yet been adopted, but is expected to introduce new key measures from 2030:

• Recyclability Guidelines: Packaging must adhere to designed-for-recyclability guidelines and be scalable for recycling.
• Reuse Targets: Specific reuse targets will apply to catering, e-commerce, and transport packaging.
• Recycled content: Mandatory minimum recycled content to be introduced from.

In essence, the new initiatives implemented by Berry Superfos will help to ensure that our customers are well-positioned to meet evolving regulatory requirements for the recyclability of their packaging solutions.