Do you know the life cycle of plastic packaging?
The circular economy is the answer to the question of how to reduce the impact of this material on the environment. Plastic is still a commonly used material in our lives, but it is also a material that can be reused and repaired, extending its useful life until it can be recycled.
Single-use plastic packaging has generated a serious environmental problem and, as a result, the reputation of plastic as a raw material is not positively positioned in the market. The particularity of this material is that, today, it offers a series of characteristics that make it unique for use in sectors such as food. Ensuring not only the avoidance of food waste, but also food safety and quality.
The key is to focus on the sustainable use of this material while continuing research into alternative materials and processes that will allow us to continue to extend its useful life.
The European Union's commitment
At the beginning of 2020, the European Commission presented the European Green Pact, showing the direction its action plan would take, with the aim of making the continent “climate neutral” by 2050.
The plan focuses on the recovery of plastics in order to reincorporate them into the supply chain and promote the efficient use of production materials. It also emphasizes eco-design and providing the necessary information so that consumers can make decisions regarding the products they consume.
The three challenges facing the circular economy in terms of plastic are:
- Introduce 109 million tons of recycled plastic in Europe by 2025
- To make all plastic packaging reusable or sustainable by 2030.
- Permanently eliminate plastic waste disposed of in the environment.
To make these challenges a reality, the European Union will have to place particular emphasis on the use of raw materials through the circular economy. In 2019, Logifruit saved 882 tons of CO2 emissions, and 2% and 3% in water and energy expenditure respectively, thanks to the switch from rigid to folding cartons.
Business models based on plastic recovery
Logifruit was born with a business model based on the circular economy, which we have been evolving to satisfy all the people involved in our business activity. In fact, recently the Ministry of Ecological Transition has selected us for the catalog of Best Practices of Circular Economy.
As we have already mentioned, we are always looking to innovate, and, therefore, we have gone one step further. Our circular economy system consists of our own 6Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Redesign, Rationalize. Aiming to form a model of sustainable growth and eco-efficiency. We do more with less.
That is why our circular economy strategy focuses on sustainability and the use of raw materials. Our packaging is not only reused and recycled, but we also extend its service life as long as possible.
To be able to carry out this type of synergies and efficiencies in Logifruit, after 25 years, we continue to bet on a collaborative model with the objective of evolving to a digital, circular and sustainable logistics contributing to the achievement of the Green Pact and the SDGs.