At a time of unprecedented concern over packaging, IGD’s Toby Pickard reveals how the industry will be getting together to address the issue.

Packaging is an issue that is rarely out of media headlines these days. Campaigns by national newspapers and pressure groups have focused consumer and government attention on perceived and actual over-packaging.

Packaging is rarely out of the headlines

Leading supermarkets have already seen shoppers remove packaging at check-out and the possible introduction of variable charging for household waste will continue to focus attention on the reasons for packaging use and the need to reduce it.

Industry is taking a lead. Supermarkets have already introduced challenging packaging reduction targets, and are looking further, at materials use and optimisation to help meet carbon emissions reductions. But significant questions remain, not least for suppliers who must try and reconcile competing demands from customers in terms of packaging strategies.

The major food retailers along with some major branded manufacturers are also committed to supporting WRAP in delivering the targets of the Courtauld Commitment:

• Designing out packaging waste growth by 2008
• Delivering absolute reductions in packaging waste by 2010
• Identifying ways to tackle the problem of food waste

Packaging is a significant business cost, and plays and important role in extending shelf life and protecting products and human health. However the food industry is challenged as never before to find new and innovative ways of delivering the products that people want with the minimum environmental impact.

IGD – helping you address the issues

So how can retailers and manufacturers ensure a joined up approach and deliver effective communication to shoppers? To find the answers to these complex issues IGD is hosting a Sustainable Packaging conference on 18th November.

You will hear insight from the leading retailers and manufacturers about what they have been doing to address packaging and product waste. You will also hear new consumer research on what impacts shoppers’ purchasing decisions with regards to packaging and recyclability.

So, if you want to know what the key players in the food and grocery sector are thinking and doing, clear your diary on the 18th November and book a place for yourself and colleagues for IGD’s must-attend conference: Sustainable Packaging 2008.   To view confirmed speakers and to book your place, click here.

More information:

Sustainable Distribution in 2008 IGD’s new Sustainable Distribution 2008 research provides practical insights into the range of measures which can be used to cut CO2 within companies’ logistics systems, specific tools to measure the impact of distribution and best practice examples of implementation

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Toby Pickard is a Business Analyst for the Industry Development Team at IGD. His work focuses on sustainability related topics that impact the food and grocery sector. He is responsible for much of the content on IGD’s free on-line Sustainability information service.

He also helps manage IGD’s Carbon Footprinting Industry Working Group which has been formed to help assure a single fit for purpose methodology for assessing embedded greenhouse gases emissions.