A new alliance for European paper packaging has been launched, aiming to promote food safety, circular solutions and lower carbon emissions, and calls for evidence-based policy making.
The European Paper Packaging Alliance (EPPA) is a new food and foodservice packaging association and is co-founded by global food packaging specialist Huhtamaki and packaging conglomerate Seda International.
The alliance’s first president is Antonio D’Amato, the president of Seda International.
D’Amato said EPPA aims to find concrete solutions to increase recycling and to reduce carbon emissions of food and foodservice packaging without compromising food safety and human health protection.
EPPA will also work with European policymakers to support common priorities such as mitigating climate change from deriving paper sustainably, promoting recycling practices of paper and fibre-based food packaging, and improving paper-based packaging to reduce food waste.
D’Amato has called on European policymakers to commit to evidence-based solutions to achieve shared objectives.
“Europe and the wider world face many challenges ranging from climate change and for example the paper cup was especially developed to avoid in public transport and in hospitals the hazards and health concerns of shared and re-used glasses and dippers,” he said.
“Sustainably sourced and manufactured paper and fibre-based foodservice packaging can deliver solutions that protect the health and safety of consumers, the vitality of our environment and the viability of a circular economy.
“We look forward to working with policymakers to deliver solutions to these common objectives and call upon them to recommit to evidence-based policy making and working in partnership with business.”
Huhtamaki Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania president Eric Le Lay, who has been named EPPA deputy-president, emphasised the importance of partnership and collaboration.
“EPPA represents both suppliers of renewable and sustainably produced raw materials and manufacturers of foodservice packaging. Our objective is to build partnerships with organisations who share our focus on developing and delivering practical solutions,” Le Lay said.
“EPPA members are committed to helping foodservice operators deliver the best consumer experience in the spirit of food safety, low carbon, and a circular economy. We look forward to welcoming new members who share our vision.”
The founding members of EPPA are: Seda International Packaging Group; Huhtamaki; AR Packaging; Smith Anderson; Schisler Packaging Solutions; Stora Enso; Metsä Board; Mayr-Melnhof Karton; WestRock; Iggesund/Holmen and Paper Machinery Corporation.
The association is established in The Hague, Netherlands at the offices of Lejeune Association Management.
