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R-EU-CYCLE: Towards Sustainable Innovation for Packaging in the Agri-food Sector.

Project

In the face of environmental challenges, the agri-food sector must rethink its packaging. The R-EU-CYCLE project supports SMEs in this transition by developing concrete solutions to improve the recycling and sustainability of packaging.

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Launch date
2024

Leader

  • Stakeholder  Leader

    Wagralim

    6041 Charleroi

Partners

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About

The Packaging Challenge: A Major Environmental Issue

Plastic packaging accounts for a significant share of waste, and its environmental impact is causing increasing concern.

In the agri-food sector, packaging plays a crucial role in preserving food quality and preventing waste, but it must now evolve to address sustainability challenges. There is growing demand for recyclable or industrially compostable packaging that can maintain its functionality while reducing its ecological footprint.

The Agri-Food Sector in Belgium: High Plastic Usage

In Belgium, the agri-food sector is particularly affected by this issue, with significant plastic consumption for product packaging. According to Fost Plus figures, nearly 95% of household packaging is collected in Belgium, but recycling plastics remains complex for many types of packaging, especially those used for food.

Belgium, through its national and European commitments, aims to further enhance its sorting and recycling capabilities to reduce packaging’s environmental impact. In this context, agri-food SMEs must innovate to comply with new regulations and meet consumers' growing expectations for sustainability.

R-EU-CYCLE: A Cross-Border Project to Support Packaging Innovation

This project aligns with the European recycling strategy, which targets 55% of plastic packaging to be recycled by 2030. R-EU-CYCLE provides a cross-border analysis of the recycling value chain for food plastics, involving stakeholders in Wallonia, Flanders, and France. This collaboration aims to identify the specific challenges SMEs face and develop practical solutions to improve sorting and recyclability while maintaining functionality.

By fostering synergies between packaging developers, sorting and recycling equipment manufacturers, and agri-food businesses, R-EU-CYCLE hopes to offer concrete business cases to meet industry needs and anticipate regulatory developments in sustainability.

If this topic interests you or if you are looking for practical packaging solutions, please contact philippe.gerkens@wagralim.be

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