Packaging waste: environmental responsibilities

Packaging waste: environmental responsibilities

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PACKAGING WASTE: ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES You must follow environmental regulations when designing, filling or importing packaging. AMOUNT OF MATERIALS USED Packaging must meet the


minimum weight and volume needed to keep the product safe and hygienic. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES Packaging materials must not exceed heavy metal concentration limits of 100ppm (parts per


million). The heavy metals these limits apply to are cadmium, mercury, lead and hexavalent chromium. RECYCLABLE PACKAGING Recyclable packaging must be designed so that a certain percentage


of the materials used are recyclable. PACKAGING FOR ENERGY RECOVERY Packaging designed to be disposed of through energy recovery (energy through burning materials) must contain at least 50%


of organic materials that burn, such as paper, wood or cardboard. BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING Packaging designed for composting must be biodegradable. REUSABLE PACKAGING Reusable packaging must


be designed so that it can be used several times. Once it has been reused, it must meet the requirements for recycling, energy recovery or composting. Read the detailed guidance on packaging


design.