1. Packaging and the Environment
Stationers' 2010
Packaging and the Environment
Dick Searle
Chief Executive
The Packaging Federation
Stationers’ Summer Forum – June 2010
Dick Searle, The Packaging Federation

2. The “Inconvenient Truths” of Packaging
Stationers' 2010
The “Inconvenient Truths” of Packaging
Packaging only exists because products exist
First & foremost it’s a Delivery System for Products
Its Primary Role is to contain, protect and preserve
But it’s also a Primary Mechanism for Branding
It’s very visible but little understood by consumers
But its environmental impact is much, much less than that of the damage that would arise without it
And…Modern Society couldn’t function without it!!
Dick Searle, The Packaging Federation

3. So why is there so much Packaging?
Stationers' 2010
So why is there so much Packaging?
Demand for Packaging is created solely by the demand for the products that it contains
Consumers expect to have everything available 24/7 – only possible with modern packaging
Political & Media focus on packaging seems to be driven by what consumers see in their bins
And yet it’s consumer demand only that puts it there – wonderful “disconnect”!
It’s an inevitable and necessary feature of modern living
And yet its existence is consistently attacked as though less packaging would make the world a better place!
Dick Searle, The Packaging Federation

4. But some “Factual” reminders
Stationers' 2010
But some “Factual” reminders
Packaging is <3% of landfill
Global carbon footprint of packaging including disposal is <2% and it saves far more carbon than it uses
It uses <1.5% of the UK’s resources and saves far more
Packaging accounts for <5% of GHG Emissions of the UK Food and Drink supply chain
And what would the supply chain emissions be without it?
On average, there’s ten times more energy & materials in products than in the packaging around them
The energy content of one day’s packaging is equal to ONE MILE driven in the car !!
AVOIDABLE household food waste bin has more than TEN times the impact of packaging waste
Dick Searle, The Packaging Federation

5. Some Interesting Moral Choices
Stationers' 2010
Some Interesting Moral Choices
Carbon footprint of goods & services is driven by consumers
But politicians expect business alone to compensate for this – so no leadership & “political cowardice”
Are consumer choices alone morally acceptable?
If so, will we see the political pressure on European Industry create massive “Carbon Leakage”?
If not, who is going to take the lead in consumer education and choice editing?
Where will packaging sit in all of this? And does it make any difference to the environment?
YES IT DOES! IT HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT & SOCIETY
It enables us to get the goods that we crave with minimal damage and thereby minimises the environmental impact of the goods themselves
Dick Searle, The Packaging Federation

6. So what about the Future?
Stationers' 2010
So what about the Future?
The World faces an unprecedented challenge to feed itself
Global warming is expected to substantially reduce the availability of land for growing food
Increased productivity and waste prevention at all stages will be absolutely key – and not just in developing countries
Modern packaging and distribution systems must play an inevitable and unavoidable role in this
Current supply chain losses of 40-60% in less developed countries are unacceptable (vs estimated <3% in the UK)
Packaging, and the science and innovation that drives its development and existence, is ready to meet the challenge
Dick Searle, The Packaging Federation

7. And the “Appliance of Science”
Stationers' 2010
And the “Appliance of Science”
Must see packaging being viewed on the basis of science – not politics and media myths
Could start by addressing contents of Defra’s “Food 2030” – only addresses packaging in the context of reducing it!
And “making more of our essential packaging recyclable” – so what about functionality e.g. “meat packaging”?!
One plus from all the UK attention on packaging is that our industry leads the world in packaging innovation
The use of “science” in innovative packaging has been a huge driver in the last few decades
And Packaging has enabled fundamental changes in product offerings and retail methodology
Dick Searle, The Packaging Federation

8. And so….. In Conclusion Modern demand needs modern packaging
Stationers' 2010
And so….. In Conclusion
Modern demand needs modern packaging
Without it we’re back to the 50’s – with no supermarkets, restricted choice and vast increases in wastage
At a time when the world faces dramatic challenges on the security, sustainability and development of its food supply, it needs the scientific and innovative skills of the packaging industry to meet them
So there’s a bright & necessary future for packaging
As long as the politicians are guided by scientific reality and focus on the real environmental challenges and acknowledge packaging as a solution not a problem!!
Dick Searle, The Packaging Federation