Packaging Waste Alana, Edita, Joost

●Plastics, paper, glass, metals, wood ●Dutch citizens: 7 packages per day: 550 kg ●US: 14 million tons of plastic from containers and packaging alone (2012) ●Quite steady levels ●Packaging waste adds 29 million tons of non-biodegradeable waste to landfills every year ●Targets ●Recovery & Recycling The Materials

50% from households, 50% from industry 24% of all household waste is packaging material (NL) 5.7% of all plastics are recycled every year (Recyclaholics) 9% of all plastics in 2012 were recovered for recycling (EPA) The Statistics

New initiative Zero packaging  Bring your own containers In fundraising stage: crowdfundingcrowdfunding Mainly via social media Bag&Buy

No packaging materials Less food thrown away Saves money! (€330,-) Bag&Buy

Unpackaged – boutique grocery shop in London Opened in 2006 as a market stall Bringing own packaging – way to eliminate waste, goods out of bulk bins or if in package – minimal and easily recyclable Strict eco-policies Few, not well known brands Other example

Unverpackt (Berlin): crowdfunded concept store; local products, few brands In.gredients (Texas): “microgrocer” providing a large range of local products Reduced packaging: Whole Foods, Safeway, etc. Even more…

Source food locally-reduce transportation Encourage customers to bring containers/sell reusable ones Store food in gravity bins or air-tight barrels (preserve freshness) Encourage awareness and discussion of waste issues Strategies and Benefits

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