Introduction: Packing For A Greener Future

Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container (FIBC) bags have been widely used in the logistics chain for bulk powdered and dry products since the late 1950s. They are used to transport materials, including agricultural grains, cement and paint pigments.

Recently, growing environmental awareness and advancements in packaging technology have increased focus on the environmental impact of many products. These issues are significantly linked to the use of non-renewable materials. Moreover, they also relate to recycling challenges and rising levels of waste and pollution.

The UK market has seen an intensified focus on sustainability in packaging, driven by both consumer demand and government regulations. The introduction of the Plastic Packaging Tax and Extended Producer Responsibilities guidelines has further encouraged businesses to seek greener packaging options.

Making the switch can bring both environmental and financial benefits to your business, supply chain partners, and customers. In this free guide from Cliffe Packaging, we will explain the costs and benefits of migrating to sustainable packaging, and how to make the best strategic procurement choices for your business.

Defining Sustainable Packaging

Sustainable packaging is purposely designed to minimise environmental impact and ecological footprint throughout a product's life-cycle. It incorporates strong, reusable materials with a high proportion of recyclable and/or biodegradable components.

This approach keeps packaging out of landfills and makes it easy to recycle or safely destroy at end-of-life.

Sustainable packaging also supports lower overall carbon emissions by contributing to a 'circular economy' where products are kept in use for extended periods, and waste is minimised.

Environmental Benefits

The environment is the primary beneficiary of sustainable packaging. Traditional polyethene and plastic packaging are linked to many serious environmental problems.

These materials contribute significantly to environmental damage, including:

Ocean pollution caused by plastic waste accumulating in the seas
Harm to marine life through ingestion
Depletion of natural resources because of major reliance on non-renewable materials

The production of plastic packaging also has a very high environmental cost. Manufacturing processes for these traditional packaging materials involve substantial fossil fuel use. Consequently, this contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. However, innovations in production processes are helping to reduce the environmental impact of packaging by incorporating eco-friendly materials while maintaining product strength and durability.

Furthermore, the widespread use of non-sustainable packaging results in high waste generation, placing a considerable burden on waste management systems and increasing the costs associated with disposal and environmental cleanup efforts.

By transitioning to sustainable packaging solutions, businesses can play a crucial role in mitigating these environmental challenges and preserving our planet for future generations.

Regulatory Landscape

Businesses that delay adopting sustainable packaging practices now face increasing financial implications. One leading example is the UK Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT).

The PPT applies to plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled material. From April 1, 2024, the tax rate increased to £217.85 per metric tonne.

The tax also affects all UK importers and manufacturers who handle more than 10 tonnes of plastic packaging per year. This includes many construction contractors, wholesalers, and manufacturing businesses.

Similar rules exist across the EU under the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR). These regulations make producers fiscally responsible for the full life cycle of their packaging.

Tax Exemption:

Using packaging with 30% or more recycled materials exempts your business from PPT charges.

Lower Material Costs:

Recycled materials are often more affordable to procure and work with than virgin resources, and these savings can be passed on to customers.

Long-term Value:

Sustainable packaging often leads to improved productivity and ecological sustainability in the long run.

Accreditation Support:

Using sustainable packaging can support applications for environmental accreditations like ISO 14001.

Sustainable packaging is a booming sector, with a wide variety of products entering the market.

For users of bulk packaging solutions, the key question is how to choose the right sustainable option. Companies have diverse packaging needs and may require custom packaging solutions to ensure their products are protected and their sustainability goals are met. The solution must be suitable for the product, the value chain, and customers’ expectations.

Some sustainable packaging products are still relatively new. As a result, they have not yet been adequately performance tested against the types of plastic materials that are still widely used.

Improving sustainability cannot come at the expense of performance. Poor performance increases waste, which can lead to a significant amount of resource use. Custom packaging, such as FIBC solutions with customized inner liners, can help businesses address specific product containment requirements while maintaining both sustainability and performance.

So, what are the main considerations for ‘going green’ in your packaging strategy? The following framework can guide you towards an informed decision for your business:

Product type & functionality

Like any choice of packaging, the first factor to consider is the nature of the product being stored or transported. For example, dried foodstuffs, photosensitive materials, and pharmaceutical components require high hygiene standards and superior protection to maintain product integrity during transit and storage. The challenge is to find sustainable packaging solutions that meet or exceed the performance of traditional options while still reducing impact on the environment.

Cost considerations

Budget constraints are a key factor in any packaging investment. The cost of sustainable packaging varies widely.

In many cases, sustainable packaging is often more expensive upfront. However, some sustainable options may be less expensive than plastic products.

In all cases, a good approach is to consider the long-term cost of ownership associated with your packaging. Although a sustainable FIBC bag costs more initially, benefits like recyclability, reduced plastic taxes, and eco-friendly branding can make it more cost-effective over time.

Environmental impact

Sustainable packaging covers a wide range of products, from fully biodegradable and recyclable materials to reducing plastic components. Very few products can boast zero environmental harm, so it’s important to assess the relative environmental footprint of different packaging options and make a choice that aligns with your company's sustainability objectives. Materials should be evaluated for their carbon footprint (including air miles for imports), recyclability, and biodegradability, as well as their reuse potential.

The long perspective

It is essential to look at the complete life-cycle of your packaging, from raw material extraction to disposal. End-of-life is where the impact of sustainability is felt the strongest, with materials that are easy to recycle or compost being softer on the environment than those that are not. Not all products can be easily recycled, even sustainable ones, and in these cases, look for biodegradability. The most sustainable packaging will break down naturally over time, without requiring specialist equipment or composting stations.

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Bulk/FIBC bags, including specialist food-grade, antistatic, and PPT-compliant reduced plastic bags.

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Polythene packaging products, including valve sacs, pallet covers, shrink film, temporary protective sheeting, and I’m greenTM polythene packaging products

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Paper sacks, layer boards, and top sheets

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Woven polypropylene sandbags

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Aluminium foil liners and laminated sacks

Recycled Content Packaging

All our plastic-based packaging can be manufactured with a minimum of 30% recycled content, with some options available using up to 100% recycled material. This reduces the demand for fresh materials, minimises petrochemical use, and helps divert waste away from landfills. Recycled content packaging options include a variety of high-strength bulk bags, pallet wrap, and polythene valve sacks, among other high-quality products.

These products are designed to deliver the same level of performance and durability as their non-recycled equivalents, giving you access to sustainable products without compromising quality.

Sustainability Policy

At Cliffe Packaging, our company's sustainability policy underscores a strong commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable manufacturing practices.

Wherever possible, we prioritise the use of eco-friendly and recyclable materials. This helps our customers align their procurement strategy with their commitment to sustainability goals.

We also implement a comprehensive waste reduction and reuse strategy at our facility and offices. Additionally, we utilise energy-efficient processes where possible to minimise our environmental footprint.

Our ongoing commitment to high environmental standards is reflected in our ISO 14001 certification, which we received in February 2023.

Pack For A Greener Future with Sustainable Solutions from Cliffe Packaging

Table Of Contents

Introduction: Packing For A Greener Future

What is Sustainable Packaging And Why Is It Important?

Defining Sustainable Packaging

Key Benefits of Sustainable Packaging

Environmental Benefits

Regulatory Landscape

Cost Advantages

Tax Exemption:

Lower Material Costs:

Long-term Value:

Accreditation Support:

Choosing the Right Sustainable Packaging for Your Business

Product type & functionality

Cost considerations

Environmental impact

The long perspective

Seeking expert advice

Making The Switch

Confirm Your Details

Sustainable Packaging Solutions from Cliffe

Recycled Content Packaging

Sustainability Policy

Next Steps

Bulk bags

Polythene Packaging Products

Useful links