At the end of January; a brand new initiative was launched in Czechia to deal with the deposit system for PET beverage bottles. It is a joint project of Karlovarské minerální vody; the non-profit Institute of Circular Economy (INCIEN) and the Faculty of Environmental Technology at the University of Chemistry and Technology.
This is no coincidence. The packaging segment is currently facing major changes. The European Union has "declared war" on plastic waste; and according to its new strategy; all packaging should be recyclable by the end of 2030. The EU plans to spend €350 million on research into how to modernise waste management. Less than a third of the waste produced so far on the old continent is recycled. China's ban on importing plastic waste is also a major problem – Europeans have no choice but to start taking better care of their waste.
After plastic bags; coffee cups are now being targeted in the UK; Italy and Germany. The problem lies in the material used – consumers often believe that plastic cups are worse than "paper" ones . Paradoxically; however; the opposite may be true; because an ordinary plastic cup is more environmentally friendly than a paper cup made of composite and virgin material; the production of which consumes several times more oil; chemicals and energy. London is currently discussing a proposal to introduce a 10% tax on the sale of hot drinks in cups; with the funds to be used to expand recycling points for composite packaging.
The ideal solution; not only for Londoners but also for Czech coffee lovers; seems to be for people to bring their own cups – which; incomprehensibly; some cafés boycott by refusing to sell to customers using their own containers.
The good news is that companies have started to think more about the necessity of using plastics. Following the example of many other companies that have already done so; Costa Coffee is now stopping the distribution of plastic straws. Coca-Cola has made a global commitment to recycle all bottles and cans by 2030 and to invest in a higher proportion of recycled materials used to manufacture packaging for its beverages. However; James Quincey; CEO of the beverage company; quite rightly points out that packaging is not only harmful; but also protects food; preventing it from spoiling quickly and thus reducing waste.
In the Czech Republic; we only introduced a charge for all plastic bags this year; but in addition to the recent creation of a group for recycling PET bottles; we can also boast a certain first. McDonald's has promised that all packaging worldwide will be recyclable by 2025; but the Czech branch is ahead of the game – it already recycles all packaging from suppliers and sorts waste from customers. In 2017; 56% of all packaging was recycled at McDonald's in the Czech Republic!
In any case; packaging offers many opportunities. Let's not look at it only through the lens of regulations that affect our costs; but also as a marketing topic that consumers are very interested in. At Expense Reduction Analysts; we can help you with both.
