Eco Design: there is more to it

So-called eco design, however, has so far only found its way into the public debate in the context of recycling. Here environmentally compatible design plays a crucial role already while packaging is being used – and not only at the end of its lifecycle. It helps to protect pre-packaged goods against premature spoilage and damage and thereby avoids hunger – an aspect that the SAVE FOOD Initiative by FAO, UNEP and Messe Düsseldorf has been committed to since 2011 with the support of business, politics, organisations and institutions worldwide.  

The Roundtable “Eco Design of Plastic Packaging” (Roundtable for short) underscores the importance of eco design as a major contribution to the sustainability of packaging in its initiative involving experts from companies across the entire value chain for plastic packaging (producers, food and consumer goods producers, retailers and plastics recyclers) as well as scientific and consumer protection organisations.  

The initiative aims to promote eco design and to help companies incorporate environment-compatible design in their corporate management processes. During interpack 2017 in Düsseldorf just under 100 delegates met at the “Forum Eco Design”, an event organised by the Roundtable and IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen. Presented among other things was the Guideline project – a guideline to be developed with practical recommendations for companies; an initial design is expected to be prepared in cooperation with the Institut Ökopol by November 2017; April is hoped to see the final version. For January and March the Roundtable plans to hold feedback workshops with various stakeholders.