Paper & Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC)

Last week, PPEC attended the Paperboard Packaging Council's 2024 Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference in Atlanta, celebrating PPC's 95th anniversary and connecting with many of our U.S.-based colleagues. A few highlights included: 🔄 “Containerboard lives on the biological side of the circular economy because it is recyclable and renewable," said Vicki Strull, Professor at Tulane University, discussing responsible packaging design and the functions of packaging, which include protecting the environment. ♻️ There was a very informative session on the issues facing the paperboard packaging industry, with Laura Parlagreco from PPEC member company ASTRO BOX CORPORATION, addressing Canada's evolving regulatory environment, including changes to Extended Producer Responsibility packaging recycling programs, the growing focus on coatings, and updates on making environmental claims. 🗃️ Brian Westerlind, Director of Industry Affairs, provided an excellent update on PPC’s sustainability initiatives and the key files they are working on to help members address issues including recyclability of food contact fibre packaging and new U.S. packaging EPR obligations. It was a great opportunity to learn and share ideas as we continue to navigate an evolving sustainability landscape for paperboard converters.

PPEC member company Smurfit Westrock has announced a $40 million investment in its Warwick plant located in Quebec, according to the below article via Paper Advance. "The company’s focus on environmental sustainability remains a priority. Currently, 60% of the plant’s production is made from fully recycled cardboard, and 98% of its products are recyclable. Smurfit Westrock continues to reduce its environmental impact through innovations and investments in green technology." This new investment will see the addition of 65,000 sq ft to the existing facility, along with a new fully automated, large-format production line. https://lnkd.in/gMPqUsqB

It's Circular Economy Month in Canada but for PPEC members and the Canadian paper packaging industry, it is always #CircularEconomyMonth. By prioritizing the use of recycled ♻️ content, PPEC members embed a circular 🔄 approach to using and reusing recycled paper in every aspect of their business operations -- from using recycled content as their feedstock, to minimizing waste in their operations, and to ultimately making paper packaging products that can be recycled at home and in businesses across Canada. From production to recovery, the paper packaging industry is committed to environmental sustainability year-round, and it's been that way for decades. Watch PPEC's video to learn more about the Canadian paper packaging industry's circular economy: https://lnkd.in/gwdbVaCi

"What inspires me most about the pulp and paper industry is the value it adds to raw materials and the environmental awareness it brings, giving a second life to materials while producing a value-added product." -- Jason Perreault-Gelinas, Plant manager at PPEC member company Cascades Papier in Kingsey Falls, Quebec. Congratulations to Jason on being named one of the winners of Pulp & Paper Canada's annual Top 10 Under 40 program and recognizing the critical importance of environmental sustainability in paper packaging, and giving a second (and a third! and a fourth!) life by prioritizing the use of recycled materials. For the Canadian paper packaging industry, recycled paper fibres are a resource that PPEC members use and reuse to make paper packaging products. https://lnkd.in/gRW7K-QR

"Atlantic Packaging's focus on sustainability in production speaks to Hamilton's focus on growing our economy while acting as strong environmental stewards, which aligns with the City of Hamilton's Term of Council priority: Sustainable Economic & Ecological Development." – Mayor Andrea Horwath on the announcement that PPEC member company Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd. is opening its newest manufacturing plant in Hamilton, Ontario, with the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place on October 10. Atlantic's approach to sustainability goes beyond the products they make, such as recyclable corrugated packaging products and paper bags, it’s fully integrated into all of their activities. As part of their commitment to environment sustainability, Atlantic’s paper mills only manufacture 100% recycled paper used to manufacture corrugated packaging products, helping to contribute to the circular economy of Canada's paper packaging industry. https://lnkd.in/eCKFpFGm

After a few days to reflect on the Canadian Stewardship Conference, PPEC wanted to share some of our takeaways on this year's theme, 'What's Next for EPR in Canada?' which is not an easy question to answer. But the speakers, panels, and hallway conversations provided lots of insights and food* for thought, starting with: 👉 “Waste is a resource.” Barry Friesen from Cleanfarms Inc. reminded the audience that waste is a resource and we couldn’t agree more. For the Canadian paper packaging industry, recycled paper fibres are a resource that PPEC members use again and again to make paper packaging products. It’s not waste, it’s a valuable commodity. And that's important context as we watch EPR programs and laws evolve. 📍 In Canada, packaging EPR programs are transitioning from legacy models (municipally run, cost-shared programs) to full producer responsibility models (100% producer run and financed). Michelle Saunders of Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada FHCP provided an overview of the transition, with insights on data management, financial implications, and why a whole of government approach is needed. 📍 In the United States, EPR is in full swing with Minnesota, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Maine as the first 5 states to have EPR packaging laws. Scott Cassel at Product Stewardship Institute and Neil Menezes of Circular Action Alliance discussed recycling infrastructure, eco modulation, balancing packaging design and recyclability with product safety and protection, and producer readiness. 📍 And in the EU, the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is estimated to be in force by Q1 2025. It will replace the current directive and has a strong focus on circularity, harmonization, high-quality recycling and recycling at scale, reuse, and waste prevention. ♻️ These sessions helped set the stage for the current state of EPR, and while the speakers were thorough and knowledgeable, PPEC believes one element that could have been discussed more was the role of the consumer. The more aware and educated consumers are, the more likely they are to empty and separate their recyclables, which will result in cleaner materials, reduced contamination, and less waste. ➡️ While this was the 20th anniversary of the conference, in many ways it feels like the beginning of a new journey as we watch EPR for packaging evolve. It was great to reconnect with so many of our colleagues, and congratulations to Daniel Wong, his Board of Directors, the Program Committee, as well as the conference's partner sponsor Circular Materials, and the PAC Global team for delivering such a thought provoking event. We can’t wait to see where EPR stands in 2026 at the next conference in Quebec City! _____________________ 🍽️ *And a special shoutout to the conference venue, the Fairmont Royal York, and their commitment to tracking and reducing food waste by using AI technologies including Orbisk | Zero Food Waste and Oscar Sort from Intuitive AI.

Analysis on the demand for recycled paper via Waste Dive's below article, which explains how recovered paper demand is expected to grow in North America as Material Recycling Facilities (MRFs) and mills make advancements that prioritize recovered fiber. ➡️ New capacity and converted paper machine startups in the last year are consuming higher volumes of both mixed paper and OCC. ➡️ Five paper machines in North America added 2.4 million tons/year of 100% additional recycled containerboard capacity. ➡️ Recent investments in upgrading facilities, including optical sorters and AI-enabled equipment, are helping MRFs produce cleaner fiber streams and more OCC for mills that want more recovered fiber. ➡️ Mills are making adjustments to accommodate more recycled materials in their products. https://lnkd.in/gZA3C_m4

McDonald's has introduced an innovative new four-flap paperboard cup for its McFlurries. The redesigned cup (where the top flaps fold down to act as a cover) eliminates the need for the plastic lid that it previously used. This packaging change will help reduce waste and advance the company's goal of sourcing 100% of primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled or certified materials by the end of 2025. https://lnkd.in/gg2Jw65r

"Founded in 1964 by the Lemaire brothers on the simple idea of creating something new out of something old, Cascades was one of the first companies to make the circular economy its business model, using recycled materials to manufacture its products." -- Hugues Simon, President and CEO of PPEC member company Cascades form their below news release in response to a new report published by RECYC-QUÉBEC and Circle Economy (https://lnkd.in/d4ag8Au) which shows that the circular economy has wide-reaching positive impacts. PPEC and its members agree and we are proud of the Canadian paper packaging industry's long-standing circular economy. When it comes to paper packaging, PPEC member companies have been taking responsibility for their materials for decades by promoting and prioritizing the use of recycled content, collecting recycled materials, and acting as end markets by buying back used paper fibres to recycle and reuse to make new paper packaging products again and again. https://lnkd.in/gKcxRcka

“By choosing recycled kraft paper, you’re contributing to a greener future and supporting a company that values sustainability.” PPEC member company White Birch Paper announced that they are entering the recycled kraft paper market with the startup of a new paper machine at its Stadacona Mill in Quebec. The machine is expected to produce 120,000 metric tons/year of 100% recycled kraft paper, made from postconsumer recycled material. Prioritizing the use of recycled content is an inherent part of our members operations, and it is essential to the Canadian paper packaging industry’s long-standing circular economy.   https://lnkd.in/ggfAh2M9