Sustainable packaging: the beverage carton industry releases ten years roadmap

ACE, The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment, and its members SIG Combibloc, BillerudKorsnäs, Elopak, Stora Enso and Tetra Pak, have set the industry’s vision for the future: we will deliver the most sustainable packaging for resilient food supply systems which is renewable, climate positive and circular.
Through its robust and ambitious Roadmap, the industry commits to take action on all parts of the industry value chain, from sustainable sourcing to climate impact and recycling. Increasing the collection and recycling of beverage cartons to reach a 90% collection rate and at least a 70% recycling rate by 2030, and the decarbonisation of the industry’s value chain in line with the 1.5o C aligned science-based targets are included in the ten commitments.
In line with the vision of ACE members, beverage cartons will be:
• Made only from renewable and /or recycled material;
• Fully recyclable and recycled;
• Made entirely from sustainably sourced raw materials;
• The packaging solution with the lowest carbon footprint.
“The industry has set high and ambitious standards for the next ten years,” said Annick
Carpentier, Director General of ACE. “We look forward to fostering a dialogue with EU decision makers to ensure that the necessary regulatory conditions are in place to support the industry’s journey towards beverage cartons as the sustainable packaging choice for today and tomorrow”.
Beverage cartons are a recyclable low carbon packaging solution that protects food and
beverages, allowing their safe use and transport while also preventing food waste. With the
commitments and targets set in the 2030 Roadmap, the industry will strive for its packaging to continue to actively contribute towards the ambitions of the EU Green Deal, specifically climate neutrality, circularity, biodiversity and resilient food systems, while never compromising the health and safety of consumers.
“The industry continues to invest in innovation and technology to increase beverage carton
recycling,” said Marcelle Peuckert, President of ACE. “The industry needs an enabling policy framework that will continue to support our investments and innovation over the next decade”.
ACE members have outlined clear deliverables, will report on the Roadmap’s overall progress on a regular basis, and will develop, add and adapt metrics should they not currently exist, also in partnership with others.