"More reusable packaging in Brandenburg" - expert workshop organised by the advice and networking centre for packaging reduction

Potsdam - On 8 December 2021, the Advisory and Networking Centre for Packaging Reduction (Beratungs- und Vernetzungsstelle Verpackungsreduktion, BVVB), commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment, held an expert workshop on the topic of "More reusable packaging in Brandenburg" at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE). As part of the MLUK's 7-point action plan, the advice and networking centre supports the exchange between stakeholders along regional supply chains in the food sector. The aim is to jointly identify potential for reducing plastic packaging and increasing the use of reusable solutions. Key areas for future activities were identified and discussed during the workshop.

The increased use of reusable or reusable solutions in the food retail sector harbours great potential for reducing packaging and avoiding waste - and is increasingly being called for politically in view of the constant increase in packaging waste. The market for reusable solutions is growing steadily. However, neither individuals nor individual companies can meet the challenge of reducing packaging in food retail alone. In order to effectively reduce packaging, cooperation between different stakeholders is required. Solutions and strategies for reducing packaging along the value chain can only be developed through dialogue.

The BVVB invited representatives from the food industry and tourism clusters, pro agro e.V., the state ministries for the environment and consumer protection, the Potsdam Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Brandenburg Consumer Advice Centre, the Reusable Packaging Working Group, Life e.V., PFABO GmbH, the Federal Environment Agency, shafuto and Mach Mehrweg, the LAG Märkische Seen e.V. association and the Potsdam Community Foundation to take part in the "More reusable packaging in Brandenburg" workshop. The participants discussed the potential of possible key areas for innovative, regional reusable solutions, for example in the fields of regional production and marketing, supermarkets and community and senior catering as well as infrastructure for sorting, returning and cleaning reusable containers. The workshop also served as a networking and exchange platform for the evaluation of reusable innovations.

Environment Minister Vogel: "Innovative reusable solutions are challenging, they require cross-company cooperation and a willingness to learn from one another. I am delighted about the lively participation of relevant stakeholders for the topic of packaging reduction. The workshop provided the first important impetus for a change towards new reusable solutions in the state of Brandenburg."

Background information on the Packaging Reduction Advice and Networking Centre:
The high and constantly rising volume of packaging in Germany has been the subject of increasingly critical discussion for several years. Currently, almost 19 million tonnes of packaging waste are generated nationwide (making it the leader in the EU comparison), which is almost 228 kg per capita per year - significantly more than the EU average of around 178 kg. Only slightly less than half of this is generated by private households; the rest is generated during the production and delivery of products to end customers and is therefore often "invisible" to consumers. Of the 12.1 million tonnes of plastics consumed in Germany in 2019, 3.2 million tonnes (27%) were attributable to packaging and other single-use products.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Climate Protection is pursuing the goal of contributing to a more resource- and environmentally friendly use of plastics among Brandenburg-based players from industry and trade as well as citizens. One element is the reduction of packaging (including plastic packaging) through reusable solutions along regional supply chains.

The Advisory and Networking Centre for Packaging Reduction in Brandenburg began its work on 1 June 2021 and is based at the Department of Business Management in the Agricultural and Food Industry at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE). On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Climate Protection, it shows what activities already exist in Brandenburg in the field of packaging reduction and represents the first central competence centre in Germany for this important topic of the future. The advice centre offers information and advice as well as opportunities for participation and networking under the following contact details.