Beverage Packaging: What is the Future of Disposable and Reusable Containers?

The industry is facing many challenges. New laws and regulations are being introduced by politicians, not least due to sustainability requirements, and consumer behavior and wishes are changing. A key element of this is the question of the use of disposable or reusable packaging. The topic of the “HighNoon – the Lunch Talk” event on Tuesday, therefore, was “The Future of Reusable & Packaging.” One of the panelists was Felix Brandenburg, Governmental Affairs Manager of the Ardagh Group and Managing Director of Forum Getränkedose, who analyzed the topic from the perspective of beverage packaging manufacturers.

Overcoming the Disposable vs. Reusable Discussion

The discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of single-use compared to reusable packaging and the supposedly better sustainability is a perennial issue in politics and among consumers. However, according to Felix Brandenburg, it is based on the wrong approach. “The ideological paradigm of ‘disposable vs. reusable’ must be overcome.” What is needed is an “ecological optimization of the entire beverage packaging market,” he demands. “A blanket, non-scientific promotion of reusable packaging does not make ecological sense.” In his opinion, all packaging solutions are required to improve in terms of climate targets and sustainability. “Both glass and beverage cans are on a very good path in this respect and are, therefore, ideally equipped for the future.”

Circular Product Par Excellence

Brandenburg sees a challenge for politicians: “We need a new dynamic for circular value creation.” The existing initiatives such as the Green Deal, the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) and the Packaging Act have significant weaknesses in their design and as a result have failed to have the expected effect. The recyclability is defined from a waste perspective. However, waste is a valuable raw material for new products, conserves natural resources, and minimizes dependence on raw material imports. As an example, Brandenburg cites aluminum, the product basis of beverage cans, an “almost infinitely recyclable material.” “The beverage can is a circular product par excellence.” Last but not least, this supports the recycling rate of more than 99 percent in Germany and a littering rate of 0.03 percent. Furthermore, there is no loss of quality in the recycling process. The high use of secondary materials has a positive effect in terms of decarbonization. Compared to the production of primary aluminum, the recycling of a beverage can saves 95 percent of the energy and the greenhouse gas emission rate is at six percent.

Can Deposits in all EU Countries

Based on this data, Brandenburg would like to see a reassessment of the waste hierarchy; according to him, beverage cans should not be classified as waste. This would also include the introduction of deposit systems for beverage cans in all EU member states. A step that the “Beverage Can Forum”, of which Brandenburg has been Managing Director since the beginning of the year and to which the packaging manufacturers Ball Beverage Packaging Europe and Crown Holdings belong alongside the Ardagh Group, has wanted to achieve for years. Therefore, the Beverage Can Forum welcomes the fact that the new PPWR includes an EU-wide obligation to introduce deposit systems. This could also increase recycling rates outside Germany and improve the environmental footprint.

A final decision in favor of one of the two paths is unlikely to be made; the dual system should be retained in the future. An approach that Felix Brandenburg also supports: “To a certain extent, you can see it that way – both systems complement each other in certain areas and are indispensable for the ecology of the beverage packaging market.”