A new white paper, “Upcycling Food and Drink Packaging: How EU-Funded Research Transforms Waste into Sustainable Solutions,” was released on 30 September 2024 through a collaboration of five EU-funded projects: PRESERVE, BioSupPack MoeBIOS (EUBP is a partner in all three), UPLIFT and upPE-T. The paper, coordinated by European Bioplastics, explores innovative solutions to tackle food and drink packaging waste by upcycling materials into new, improved products. It also provides targeted policy recommendations to advance circular packaging solutions in the European Union.

EUBP, as the coordinator of a joint working group of these projects focusing on policy affairs, played a leading role in the drafting of the white paper, ensuring that it addresses both technical advancements and the broader regulatory landscape. The white paper highlights how upcycling technologies, circular design, and effective end-of-life solutions can transform the future of packaging, in line with the EU’s sustainability goals.

The white paper was first presented during a dedicated webinar held on 1 October, where representatives from the four projects discussed the findings and recommendations with a diverse audience of stakeholders from industry, policy, and academia.

For those interested in learning more about the white paper and its findings, the document is now available for download.

Download the White Paper: https://zenodo.org/records/13933189

Further discussions and engagements on its recommendations will continue at upcoming events hosted by the projects:

  • On 9 December, Berlin – organized by European Bioplastics as a side event to the EBC24, Recycling strategies for bioplastics: what’s next? The goal of this EBC24 side event on Recycling strategies for bioplastics is to connect experts working on novel or improved recycling and upcycling technologies for bioplastics from academia and industrial stakeholders. Participants will be able to meet the experts from several EU-funded projects (PRESERVE, BioSupPack, BIOMAC, MoeBIOS, ReBioCycle and PROSPER) via speed dating. Register here.
  • On 12 December, Berlin – the final event of the PRESERVE project will take place. This event will showcase the key achievements of PRESERVE, including the innovative prototypes developed over the past four years. Our goal has been to enhance the recyclability of food and drink packaging while upcycling these materials into non-food applications. Register here.