Page 18 - Packaging News magazine Sep-Oct 2022

COVER STORY
SUSTAINABILITY HAS BECOME the accepted norm in the packaging industry, particularly in coun- tries like Australia where it is a critical part of a client’s brief. Here at Avery Dennison, we are focusing on regen- eration as the natural evolution beyond sustainability.
However, to achieve regeneration, we need to look at new products, new tech- nologies, alternative supply chains and business models that actively replenish rather than remove from our planet.
Imagine a world where every prod- uct in your household is ‘etched’ with a code which is triggered when it is taken away by rubbish trucks. Instead of con- sumers separating their products, we’d all just have one bin to put everything into, and the digitisation of the supply chain will allow for this to be separated and repurposed with ease.
Sounds a little futuristic? Well, with digitised supply chains and intelligent packaging this is really just around the corner.
CLIMATE CHAOS IS LOOMING – BUT INTELLIGENT SOLUTIONS CAN HELP SOFTEN THE BLOW
We are in a fortunate position here in Australia and New Zealand – we’re ahead of a lot of the rest of the world in our sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ventures and our governments are very vocal about the impending need for busi- nesses to transform. However, I can confidently say our industry is not ready to do this on its own, and we’re ready to change that.
The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly obvious across our country – bush fires, droughts, and extreme flooding in Sydney recently, is becoming the new normal. While it is on governments and decision makers to guide us – we as an industry are respon- sible for doing what we can. Whether that be adhering to new criteria, sus- tainability reporting, digitising supply chains or helping to educate others.
Labelling and packaging suppli- ers don’t immediately spring to mind when you think about the circular and regenerative economy. Playing a lead- ership role in this transition requires us to think more broadly as a solu- tions provider, not just as a supplier. For example, we have put a lot of work into developing intelligent labels which have the potential to streamline recy- cling processes and reduce waste on a massive scale.
Regeneration:
the natural evolution beyond sustainability
Collaboration is the key to moving beyond sustainability and into regeneration says Cath Cornaggia, commercial director, Label and Packaging Materials, Australia and New Zealand at Avery Dennison, who shares her insights with PKN.
Avery Dennison sustainability products that enable recycling use less material, contain recycled content or are responsibly sourced.
18 ❙ SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2022
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