Circular Economy and recyclable materials

As part of the circular economy, we're changing the way we work. But what is the circular economy? What's in it for the ecology? What are the consequences for our products and our customers? 

What is the circular economy?

The principle of the circular economy has become increasingly important in recent years. This new economic model is based on the efficient use of resources and on the notion of "loops", and is intended to be a partnership-based, collective approach. It is opposed to the classic economic model (extract - produce - consume - discard) and aims to reduce the extraction of resources, whatever the level of economic and demographic growth. The aim is to do better with less.

In France, since 2015, the notion of the circular economy has been formalized in the law on energy transition for green growth. In Europe, the European Parliament adopted the "waste package" in plenary session on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. This legislative project aims to increase the share of recycled waste from 44% to date to 70% by 2030; but also to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.

The challenge now is to integrate the circular economy across the board into all activities and public policies.

The foundations of the circular economy 

The circular economy has 7 pillars corresponding to the multiple fields of intervention of economic, social, environmental and regional development:

1. Sustainable sourcing: This corresponds to a responsible purchasing policy.
2. Eco-design : This involves reducing the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its life cycle, right from the design phase.
3. EIT: The search for synergies across a business park (e.g., waste can be a resource).
4. The economy of functionality : This is a form of collaborative economy that favors setting up processes to produce with what we have, rather than buying a product directly.
5. Responsible consumption This is the principle of consuming in such a way as to make choices based on social and ecological considerations.
6. Longer useful life: Consists simply in reusing, reusing or repairing.
7. Recycling: This is the treatment and recovery of the materials contained in the waste collected.

Europackwine's commitments

Europackwine is committed to several of the fundamental points of the circular economy to get closer to being an eco-responsible 100% company:

1. Sustainable sourcing: All our consumption and sourcing is Made in France. We can control the sourcing of raw materials locally and as closely as possible.
2. Eco-design : We've created a universal, ultra-strong packaging that reduces the number of models, and therefore production. Its reliability also means fewer breakages and returns, thus reducing unnecessary transport and carbon footprint.
3. EIT: Thanks to biomass, we will gradually be able to offer packaging made from green waste. To find out more about biomass, click here.
4. The economy of functionality : We are currently setting up a collaborative circuit with our customers and partner companies to recover polystyrene waste and give it a new life.
5. Responsible consumption : We manufacture our packaging and cartons in France. We handle all transport to optimize delivery and reduce C02 emissions. We manage production, design and delivery from A to Z.
6. Longer useful life: We use double-flute cardboard to provide maximum protection and hold the polystyrene box in place. In the case of transport where the packages are not too badly damaged, it is possible to reuse the packaging for further shipments.
7. Recycling: Our packaging is 100% recyclable.

How does it work, and what does it change?

As part of the circular economy, we will contribute to the promotion of material cycles. In concrete terms, we will replace half of the extraction of virgin raw materials with the reuse of existing elements or the generation of recycled raw materials.

For the customer, it makes no difference, either in the packaging or in the purchase price. These circular economy initiatives help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reuse existing materials and avoid pollution and over-production.

Find out more about the manufacture of our EPS packaging, Click here