The paradox of packaging optimization – a characterization of packaging source reduction in the Netherlands

Mariësse A.E. van Sluisveld and Ernst Worrell

Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 2013, vol. 73, issue C, 133-142

Abstract: The European Council Directive 94/62/EC for Packaging and Packaging Waste requires that Member States implement packaging waste prevention measures. However, consumption and subsequently packaging waste figures are still growing annually. It suggests that policies to accomplish packaging waste prevention do not suffice, especially since developments are less insightful as these are part of a self-declaring compliance system. This study is aimed at expanding the understanding of packaging source reduction. We collected and evaluated 131 available options implemented in the Netherlands in the period 2005–2010. Lightweighting has been identified as the most frequently applied packaging source reduction method, indicating that the packaging industry prioritizes low-effort and familiar concepts, despite the dichotomy in efficacy.

Keywords: Source reduction; Waste; Packaging; Optimization; Extended producer responsibility; Material efficiency; Prevention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:recore:v:73:y:2013:i:c:p:133-142

DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.01.016

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