This past week, FEFCO (European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers), Brussels, Belgium, participated in a high-level forum discussing the role of packaging in the Circular Economy. The debate, organized by EURACTIV with the support of FEFCO, attracted around 80 participants from EU authorities, NGOs, industry, and other EU stakeholders.

 

The panel was composed of key EU, industry and society representatives:

• Kestutis Sadauskas, director Circular Economy and Green Growth, European Commission 
• Davor Skrlec, MEP, Greens/EFA 
• Edward Vernon, Environment Unit coordinator, Maltese Presidency 
• Anke Schulmeister, senior forest policy officer, WWF 
• Stefano Rossi, CEO, DS Smith Packaging, representing the Corrugated Industry. 

This lively discussion followed the recent European Parliament vote on the Waste Package. The forum gave FEFCO the opportunity to demonstrate that recycling is the best solution for paper and board. Recycling should be valued, recognized, and supported by national governments, the EU, and non-governmental organizations. Moreover, bio-based materials such as paper and board contribute to the economy, environment, and society, FEFCO noted.

 

Rossi concluded the event by saying that "the perfect Circular Economy already exists: corrugated packaging is already collected and recycled all over Europe. While corrugated packaging makes the best use of secondary raw materials, the increased need for a separate collection of paper and board is equally important because ‘We want every fiber back!" 

FEFCO also launched its "Circular by Nature" campaign at the event. Learn more about it online. 

FEFCO was established in 1952 and represents the interests of the European Corrugated Board Manufacturers. It has 17 active members, all European national corrugated packaging organizations. The role of the Federation is to investigate economic, financial, technical, and marketing issues of interest to the corrugated packaging.