produits de la mer - n°192 - Mai 2019 - 66

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Plastic
packaging:
a national pact

❘ 66 ❘

PRODUITS DE LA MER N°192 MAI 2019

The objectives are ambitious. Their commitments target 60% recycled plastic packaging by
2022 and 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025. "The pact signed today
is a major step in the fight against plastic pollution. This convergence on the observation, the discourse and the actions is unprecedented in France
and unique in Europe," commented Brune Poirson
on this occasion.
Chain stores are already announcing concrete
solutions. Casino, for example, will eliminate all
single-use plastic cutlery and accessories in delicatessen salads and fruit juice cartons by 2020. By
2022, it will replace packaging lacking a recycling
chain (PVC (1) and EPS (2)) with recyclable packaging. EPS trays for pre-packaged fresh products
sold on the meat, the seafood, the cheese and
delicatessen shelves are a priority. The group will
gradually increase the amount of recycled plastic
in packaging with a target of 25% incorporated
into PET (3) bottles for beverages by 2023. At the
same time, it will develop new concepts for selling loose goods.
This year, Carrefour will replace the EPS trays
in the cheese department with cardboard trays.
The plastic bag wrapping the organic fair trade

banana or the plastic film surrounding the cucumber will disappear in favour of an elastic band.
Recently, the group has also given its customers
the opportunity to bring their own containers to
the fish, meat, cheese and catering counters. It
will also offer them the opportunity to buy and
reuse organic cotton bags to transport their fruits
and vegetables.
Auchan is testing washable and reusable
mesh bags. A pioneer in loose goods sales in
chain stores with self-discount products in 2004,
the group, which has since extended this sales
method to grocery and organic products, should
expand its offer. It it also working to reduce, eliminate or make recyclable, the plastic packaging
for its branded food products (cheese, fruit and
vegetables, bakery, pastry). At the same time, it
is carrying out research to reduce the presence of
sorting disrupters (pigments, glues, labels, etc.) in
its plastic packaging and wrapping, starting with
those of its own food brands.
Anne-Caroline RENARD
(1) Polyvinyl chloride
(2) Expanded polystyrene
(3) Polyethylene terephthalate

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The main commitments of the pact

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Pollution by plastic waste regularly makes the
headlines. According to the Ellen MacArthur
Foundation, more than 8 million tons of plastic
would end up in the oceans each year, which
is equivalent to unloading the contents of a
garbage truck at sea every minute. If nothing
is done, this number will increase to two per
minute by 2030 and four by 2050. Its report,
The New Plastics Economy, demonstrates how
the principles of circular economy applied to
global plastic packaging flows can reduce their
impacts on health and the environment. On
29th October 2018, in collaboration with the
United Nations Environment Programme, the
foundation unveiled the global commitment to
the "new plastics economy".
Among the signatories: government authorities, NGOs, universities, investors, but also companies such as Danone, H&M, L'Oréal, Mars,
Pepsico, Coca-Cola, Unilever... accounting for
20% of plastic packaging used worldwide. To
federate national initiatives, the Ellen MacArthur
Foundation has created a global network of
"Plastics pacts".
This vision is the basis of the National Pact on
Plastic Packaging, signed on 21st February by
Brune Poirson, Secretary of State to the Minister
of Ecological and Solidarity Transition, the companies Auchan, Biscuits Bouvard, Carrefour, Casino,
Coca-Cola European Partners, Danone, Franprix,
L'Oréal, LSDH, Monoprix, Nestlé France, Système U,
Unilever, the Tara Expéditions Foundation and
WWF France. It is "in line with the roadmap on
circular economy and with the European strategy
on plastics, and in consideration of the circular
economy law," the ministry said. "The signatories
subscribe to a common vision of circular economy,
according to which plastic, a major source of pollution, never becomes waste."

The National Plastic Packaging Pact
confirms a commitment
by the government, French companies
and NGOs to take on more
responsible approaches.

Establish a list of problematic or unnecessary packaging for which disposal
measures should be taken.
Collectively reach 60% of plastic packaging effectively recycled by 2022.
Ecodesign packaging should permit 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable
packaging by 2025.
Carry out awareness-raising and educational activities with the general public
on the issues of plastic pollution.

produits de la mer - n°192 - Mai 2019

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