Packaging
At Salud Foodgroup Europe, we are always looking for product packaging that has the least environmental impact. For the most sustainable overall solution, our aim is to strike a balance between more effective packaging and less food waste.
For this, we adhere to the European Packaging Directive. One of the measures under this directive is that packaging should meet the essential requirements aimed at making packaging sustainable as early as the design stage. These include requirements for the manufacture and composition of packaging, recyclability and recovery of packaging materials.
Single Use Plastics Directive
Laws and regulations are constantly changing. As a result of new policies (such as the transition to a circular economy for packaging), existing laws are constantly being updated and new ones added. One example is the Single Use Plastics Directive that came into effect in 2021 to combat single-use plastics. Salud Foodgroup Europe's packaging coordinator keeps a close eye on the changing laws and regulations.
Extended producer responsibility
As an importer and producer, we have an important role and responsibility in waste management. In the Netherlands, an extended producer responsibility (EPR) exists for this purpose. This means that importers and producers who first market a product in the Netherlands are responsible for the product throughout its life cycle, including waste management. As a producer, we are responsible for:
- ensuring the appropriate availability of a collection system for all used Salud Foodgroup Europe packaging;
- providing information to waste holders on waste prevention measures, collection systems, reuse facilities and litter prevention;
- having the financial and organisational resources to fulfil the EPR.
Ambition
Our ambition is to comply with the extended producer responsibility that has been in effect since 1 January 2023. In addition, we plan to increase collaboration with packaging producers and suppliers on the development and improvement of recyclable primary and secondary plastic packaging. This applies to all our product groups, including appetisers and avocado, guacamole and tortilla products.