Sustainability

Carton packaging has exemplary credentials in terms of sustainability: the industry pioneered the recycling revolution, and is aligned to current climate change policies.

Carton is also one of the best examples of a sustainable economic model: using primarily renewable resources, it is made of sustainably managed virgin and recycled fibres, and the used raw materials are widely recovered and reused, thus leading to limited waste.

If there were no packaging, food and other goods would be lost due to handling damage, lack of hygiene and insufficient information on product use. Using folding cartons to package goods has many environmental advantages.

Carton packaging: a partner in sustainable consumption
Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their consumption, which is to a certain extent reflected in their purchasing patterns. Using renewable source materials and recycling are both key to reducing our environmental impact.

The sector currently uses, depending on the application, an appropriate 40-60 balance between virgin and recycled carton grades. Over 50% of all primary energy used in the manufacture of European paper and board is biomass based, with the wood by-products providing renewable energy in the form of electricity and steam for the manufacturing process.

Please read the letter ECMA sent to the European Commission in April 2020 regarding Guidance on identifying and describing the products covered by the SUP Directive.

Following up on this letter from April 2020 ECMA and a broad alliance of the paper & board value chain have submitted to the European Commission cross industry papers on cellulose definition under the Single Use Plastics Directive.
You can read the papers here.

Downloads:

Pro Carton
Pro Carton is the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard manufacturers.

Please click here to be redirected to the special Pro Carton Sustainability website.