LC Packaging and Veolia Netherlands team up to minimise waste related to flexible packaging on a global scale
May 16, 2019
Today, International flexible packaging producer and distributor LC Packaging and Veolia Netherlands (Veolia is a global leader in optimised resource management) announce a strategic partnership aimed at minimising residual waste streams related to flexible packaging on a global scale. The aim being to create a truly Circular Program, focused on optimising the recovery and upcycling of flexible packaging after-use, instead of the situation today whereby the vast percentage of flexible packaging still ends up incinerated or is landfilled.
Add value to used packaging products
Next to packaging solutions such as cardboard packaging, jute bags, WPP bags and net bags for the agricultural industry, LC Packaging has distributed over 11 million FIBCs (big bags) in 2018, of which a large part is produced in its own SA 8000 and ISO 14001 certified production location in Bangladesh. Because the demand for these packaging solutions is increasing, LC Packaging has proudly opened its second location at the beginning of this year. However, since China and Vietnam closed their doors for the recycling of big bags, there is a surplus of used big bags in the market for which there are too few recycling facilities.
First steps in a sustainable partnership
LC Packaging and Veolia Netherlands have already commenced upon the implementation of this Circular Program, on a test pilot phase, in cooperation with a selected number of highly motivated and sustainably minded customers of LC Packaging. Once proven, the aim is to expand this closed loop approach to the activities of many more customers, industries and supply chain partners that fall under the scope of LC Packaging’s complete flexible packaging portfolio. Under the scope of this partnership, Veolia Netherlands will be responsible for reverse logistics and the recycling of recovered packaging and its conversion into high quality compounds.
Lucas Lammers, CEO LC Packaging: “Our goal is to minimise and recuperate the waste associated with our packaging. At our own production location we already recycle up to 80% of our production waste and with our WorldBag reconditioning service we are able to recondition certain types of big bags up to six times. The recyclability of a packaging product depends on the materials used and the design of the packaging itself. But also on the product that is packaged in it and the available infrastructure and after-use solutions on the location where the packaging ends-up. With our extensive network in the supply chain, long-term relationships with our production partners and customers and our partnership with Veolia we see the opportunity to really make a difference.”
Roger Beuting, Business Development Director Veolia Netherlands:
“The vision of Veolia is to resource the world, and in part this is achieved through the production of high quality secondary raw materials from recovered packaging. With our technical and operational expertise in the upcycling of plastic streams we believe that in combining forces with LC Packaging we can take significant steps. When produced, designed and handled the right way, big bags are a high quality recycling product and thus a sustainable product. Coming up with suitable after-use solutions for this type of packaging is certainly high on the Veolia agenda. LC Packaging and its customers can provide us with both, turning the recycling of big bags into an opportunity instead of a threat.“