What we do

Project Goals and Deliverables

  • 2020: Flexible packaging will be recycled in an increasing number of European countries, facilitated by the CEFLEX initiative through:
    • Develop robust ‘Designing for a Circular Economy’ guidelines, considering both flexible packaging and the “End of Life” infrastructure to collect, sort and recycle them
    • Identify and stimulate sustainable end markets for the secondary materials recycled from flexible packaging
    • Propose a sustainable business case in which flexible packaging can be collected, sorted, recycled and returned to the economy in quantity and at a competitive quality/price for potential end market applications.
  • 2025:  Development of a collection, sorting and reprocessing infrastructure for post-consumer flexible packaging across Europe, facilitated by project CEFLEX through:
    • Implementation of a robust business case that supports the development of the circular economy in which flexible packaging is seen as a relevant and responsible packaging choice
    • Proof of principle from successful pilot projects
W1
W2
W3
W4
W5
W6
W7
W1

W1: Design Guidelines for flexible packaging in a circular economy

  • Develop, validate and disseminate ‘Design for a Circular Economy’ guidelines (D4ACE)
  • Develop vigorous methodology to quantify the economic and environmental value added by flexible packaging. This will include recycling/recovery; both in terms of waste prevention and resource efficiency
  • Develop a tool/process to assess D4ACE
  • Establish a mechanism to update and re-validate the D4ACE Guidelines
W2

W2: Understand/map the European flexible packaging market

  • Agree a definition of the flexible packaging that is within the scope of the CEFLEX project; and
  • Map the weight and type of flexible packaging being placed on to the market in Europe. Understand the post-consumer flexible packaging waste management in each of the countries in Europe.
  • Translate mapping information into robust recommendations for the household collection of post-consumer flexible packaging via Workstream 4
W3

W3: Identify and develop sustainable end markets for secondary materials

  • Identify ‘fast to implement “ markets and define key requirements (specifications)
  • Run value chain demonstration projects to prove financial sustainability of recommended end markets
W4

W4: Develop a sustainable business case for collecting all flexible packaging

  • Develop a sustainable business model for collection, sorting and reprocessing of post-consumer flexible packaging across Europe
  • The business case will lay out the principles for the best way to sustainably finance the waste management and its infrastructure in the various countries. This will take account of the changing regulatory environment and of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scope
W5

W5: Show proof of principle in pilot region/country

  • Pilot wide collection of flexible packaging and increased recycling of flexible packaging in a lead region/country by 2021
  • Provide “proof of principle” for best practices and possible business models developed as part of Workstream 4
W6

W6: Facilitating technologies

  • Undertake assessment and development work on marking, sorting and recycling technologies
  • Identify, communicate and support the rollout of best practice in:
    • The design/manufacture of flexible packaging to improve recyclability
    • The design of “end of cycle” collection, sorting, recycling and recovery systems
W7

W7: Communication

  • Regular, efficient and appropriate communication with the European Stakeholders on project mission, goals and activities to deliver on objectives
  • Provide content for stakeholders advocacy for legislation and support for infrastructure development