Sector developments

In the period from 2015 to 2017, branch organisations drew up thirteen so-called sector sustainability plans for packaging. These plans contain targets for improving the sustainability of packaging materials that must be realised by 2018. These goals are based on the performances of leading parties in the sectors and they are applied throughout each sector. Together, the thirteen plans represent 88% of the total packaging weight that the relevant sectors put on the market in the Netherlands.

Sustainable packaging

The plans provide insight into relevant sustainability themes in the various sectors:

Re-duce: reduce the amount of packaging materials used by making packaging lighter and thinner;
Re-use: using multi-use packaging materials for transport;
Recycle: using more recycled material, packaging materials that are easier to recycle, more packaging materials made from monomaterials, and more instructions for disposal on packaging materials;
Re-new: using more sustainably certified paper/cardboard and broader application of bio-based raw materials in plastics.

The sectors monitor whether the targets outlined in the plans are being realised. By the end of 2018, they will submit monitoring reports to the KIDV. To provide a preliminary overview of the expected results of the plans, the KIDV has drawn up an analysis of the targets. Read the overview of the themes that the sectors focus on and where the biggest gains can be expected, as well as the opportunities this presents to the various chain parties.

In 2018, the sectors will draw up new plans with targets that must be realised by the year 2022. If you want to know more about the approach and implementation of the sector sustainability plans, read here.

Sector sustainability plans

Drawing up these sector sustainability plans with maximum feasible targets for 2018 is one of the agreements from the Framework Agreement for Packaging 2013-2022 between the national government, the packaging industry, and municipalities. The plans are evaluated by a scientific committee under the direction of the KIDV. The KIDV then records the plans and presents them to the various parties of the framework agreement.