Sustainability, the packaging industry’s most contentious topic, is set to take centre stage at Packaging Innovations and Empack 2022, with the event organiser, Easyfairs, announcing the launch of ‘The Sustainability Trail’.
The brand-new feature will highlight panel-approved ‘green’ innovations from across the exhibition floor that are shaping the future of the industry. From materials used to methods of waste management, the Sustainability Trail will help buyers quickly find the right product or service to drive the environmental performance of their next packaging project.
The trail comes at a time when the global economy is searching for more sustainable ways of living post-pandemic. With this in mind, the UK’s premier packaging event, taking place at Birmingham’s NEC on 25 and 26 May, wanted to make it as easy as possible for visitors to discover the sustainability stars of the industry.
For exhibitors and their products to qualify for the Sustainability Trail, a panel of experts will be assessing their performance in a number of areas, including reduced weight or reduced use of materials, reduced carbon footprint and the use of recyclable, compostable or biodegradable materials.
Supplementing the Sustainability Trail will be the return of the incredibly popular Ecopack Challenge. In association with OPRL, The Ecopack Challenge calls for industry professionals to place sustainability at its very centre to design an all-new sustainable packaging product. The interactive Dragons’ Den-style session will see innovators hoping to be crowned best-in-show pitching their products to a panel including Ocado, OPRL, Pret A Manger, and The Pack Hub.
Renan Joel, Divisional Director for Easyfairs, concludes: “The Sustainability Trail is an innovative way of discussing the ‘green’ issues challenging our industry, and putting new and exciting solutions in front of our visitors. As an industry, we share a collective responsibility to look after the planet, reduce our reliance on raw materials, and seek to contribute to a circular economy.
“Further to this launch, we have also brought back a fan’s favourite in The Ecopack Challenge. This spectacle will provide a practical application of that exact message, inviting entrants to surprise and inspire us with their innovations which will positively impact the health of our planet in years to come.”
