Packaging Innovations Weekly Wrap - Packaging Tax Introduced in Netherlands

A new packaging tax will be implemented in the Netherlands in January next year.

The tax, which is based on the CO2 emitted during the manufacture of packaging, will apply to all goods filled or packed in the country.

The tax is expected to encourage the use of environmentally friendly packaging materials in terms of CO2 emissions.

Tax levels will be based on complex calculations based on the life cycle analysis of each packaging material – glass, paper, aluminium, iron and plastic.

It is expected the increased cost will be passed on to consumers.

CONFECTIONERS ANNOUNCE EGG CUTS

Major confectionary firms are working to cut packaging on medium-sized Easter eggs for 2009.

Mars, Cadbury and Nestlé are working with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to reduce packaging materials across a range of products.

Nestlé has already reduced the size of its small Easter egg cartons by 30 percent and mug eggs by 14 percent.

Cadbury is also working towards using 100 percent recoverable or biodegradable packaging across its products by 2010.

GLOBAL PACKAGING STANDARDS REVISED

The British Retail Consortium has unveiled changes to two packaging standards ahead of their publication in January.

The Global Standard for Food Safety and Packaging and Packaging Materials have been revised to include more guidance for users and certification bodies, enabling more consistent auditing and greater emphasis on companies demonstrating senior management commitment and competence in the application of hazard analysis.

The Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials has also bee upgraded to include packaging for non-food products.

BRC director of Global Standards and Technical services Dr Geoff Spriegel says quality and safety are crucial to a retailer's success, especially when branded goods are manufactured by third parties.

"The BRC's Global Standards provide greater assurance for retailers and open up new markets for suppliers who can promote themselves to retailers looking for independent endorsement of supplier’s operations," he says.

"We will continue to strengthen and update the Standards to keep them ahead of changing technology and customer demands."

Both standards are due to be implemented on 1 July 2008.

Currently 9,000 factories in over 80 countries are audited to the Global Standards.

TETRA OFFERS AN EIFEL

Tetra Pak has announced the launch of a new easy-to-open cap for its Tetra Top package.

The Tetra Top Eifel O38 package offers one-step opening with tamper evidence built into the cap.

The cap has a 38mm opening, keeps its contents safe, is easy to reseal and is ideal for chilled dairy and juice products, Tetra Pak product director Anders Gustafsson says.

"The Tetra Top Eifel O38 package is easy to open, has excellent pouring and drinking qualities and is suitable for on-the-go and home consumption," he says.

Tetra Top packages with the new cap are produced on the TT/3 XH IC dual-line filling machine with an Integrated Capping (IC) unit, which reduces the floor space required by up to 20 percent.

The Tetra Top Eifel O38 package also eliminates the need for a membrane underneath the cap and is mainly made from paperboard – a renewable resource (63 percent paperboard and 36 percent plastics).
Source: packaging-technology