The key to packaging sustainability? Traceability.

Packaging’s traceability problem

In our first blog covering sustainability in packaging, we explained how consumers are pressuring packaging producers for sustainability credentials.

This pressure isn’t isolated to consumers. Investors and regulators also want sustainability proof across the packaging value chain—from mine to converters to food and beverage manufacturers2.

Regulators

Legislative efforts are quickly evolving and changing. Concerns over packaging waste, recyclability rates, and carbon footprint will require unprecedented traceability to prove sustainability progress. Soon, you must be able to measure the impact of your entire supply chain and demonstrate how you’re contributing to important initiatives such as decarbonization.

In Europe, recent legislative efforts are placing renewed focus on packaging waste reduction and increased recycled content in packaging. For companies to stay compliant, better raw materials traceability is needed.

Full traceability and collaboration between value chain partners is essential for compliance and assurance. START can help you streamline this data.

Investors

Sustainability attracts investors3. They know consumers will pay a premium for sustainably packaged products. Sourcing lightweight, low carbon aluminium for packaging lowers operating costs and reduces CO2 emissions. All help lift profit margins4.

Slow response

Unfortunately, ESG data collection and reporting in packaging is lagging. Why? Because outdated, inefficient methods remain pervasive5.

It’s common for packaging companies to collect this data manually, asking supply chain partners upstream for material provenance data and associated metrics. If this isn’t available, industry averages may be used instead.

Take beverage can manufacturing, for example. Top companies source aluminium can sheet from multiple suppliers because diversification ensures more supply security. That makes it difficult to track provenance information on the aluminium used in their cans, as a percentage may come from a responsible producer and a portion may come from a supplier with a higher environmental impact.

START simplifies traceability, sustainability

START is setting a new traceability and transparency standard to improve sustainability in packaging.

Easier reporting and tracking

START enables you to see material provenance and production data—providing traceable environmental, social, and governance (ESG) insights across our three pillars of Planet, People, and Progress.

On each START sustainability label, you’ll see 14 ESG metrics, including those especially important in packaging, such as CO2 output and recycled aluminium content.

Smarter decisions

START can help you track material that runs through your processes, giving you a better understanding of the ESG impact your sourced materials carry. Equipped with that insight, your team can make more informed choices, including sourcing sustainable aluminium produced by a responsible partner.

With START’s transparency and traceability, you can measure how ESG friendly your supply chain is, assure stakeholders of sustainability progress, and address future regulatory requirements.

Gain better visibility—join START

When you join the START programme, you gain access to transparent, traceable insights on how aluminium, a key raw material in packaging, is produced responsibly. Eliminate the guesswork of tracking your packaging materials’ ESG impact. Contact us today.