The SUP Green Deal aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic packaging – Valio shares its long-term goals

The SUP (Single-Use Plastics) Directive, which entered into force in 2019, outlines that EU Member States must take the necessary steps to reduce the use of certain single-use plastic products. It is up to the States to decide how to achieve this objective.

In Finland, the reduction targets are pursued through a voluntary Green Deal agreement, to which companies can commit themselves. The agreement has been concluded by the Ministry of the Environment with the Finnish Food and Drink Industries’ Federation, the Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa, the Finnish Grocery Trade Association and the Finnish Packaging Association.

The overall target is to reduce the use of certain plastic packaging by 5% from the 2022 levels by 2026. Another goal is to ensure that the amount of non-plastic materials in packaging covered by the Green Deal agreement does not increase from the 2022 level. The reduction targets apply to single-use cups for beverages that contain plastic and their caps and lids, as well as certain food packages that contain plastic.

The progress towards these goals is tracked using the SUP statistics compiled by Rinki. “Companies with producer responsibility submit an annual report to us of the volumes of their SUP packaging and other information required by law. Rinki draws the key figures that the authorities need from the statistics,” says Rinki’s specialist Hanna Tukiainen.

Companies can volunteer to be part of the Green Deal agreement

Companies can decide whether to join the Green Deal agreement.

“The Green Deal is a voluntary agreement between the state and the business sector. It complements legislation without additional regulation,” says Tukiainen.

A significant number of companies have committed to the Green Deal agreement. In addition to the overall target, the participating companies have defined their own reduction targets for 2024–2026.

Valio’s ambition is to promote circular economy in the long term

Valio is one of the companies committed to the Green Deal agreement. The commitment is a step in the wider developments in packaging.

“We have worked persistently to develop more environmentally smart packaging. This is one of our areas of packaging development,” says Juhana Pilkama, Valio’s Head of Packaging Development.

Valio has set a Green Deal target to reduce plastic by 15% in single-use portion packaging by 2026.

“Our reduction target corresponds to 6.8 million plastic carrier bags,” Pilkama explains. He says that the amount of plastic used can be significantly reduced by increasing the use of carton cups, and Valio has switched to plastic that is easier to recycle in its yoghurt cups.

It will not be possible to stop completely using plastic in food packaging, and that is not even the goal. “It’ll always be necessary to use plastic in food packaging, especially dairy products and products with a long shelf life. All-fibre packaging is not an option. A paper bag is a good example: if you pour a litre of milk into one, it won’t take long for the liquid to come through,” says Pilkama.

Recycling is encouraged through developments in packaging and sorting instructions

Valio has reduced plastic in its packaging in the 2020s, even before signing the Green Deal agreement. “Our products no longer come with elements such as lids with spoons or snap-on lids. We have started using thinner plastic packaging for sliced cheese. The packages of sliced cheese now contain at least 55% recycled plastic, which significantly reduces the use of virgin plastic,” says Pilkama.

Sorting is encouraged through clear instructions that can be found on all Valio packages. “We hope that the instructions encourage consumers to recycle the packaging so that even more valuable raw materials are recycled,” says Pilkama.

“We work on a very broad range of issues; this is not a single effort, but a process,” he sums up.

Being prepared for future packaging regulations

The SUP Directive is not the only regulation concerning packaging, and companies are already preparing for the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will soon enter into force.

“The PPWR will contain new requirements, all positive, that will aim to reduce packaging waste, which also supports the Green Deal agreement. For example, there is an obligation to use recycled plastic, and we have already started to work on this. Next year, Valio will have major launches that use recycled plastic,” Pilkama reveals.

Pilkama’s message to other companies is clear: “I encourage colleagues across Finland to take part in the Green Deal and set goals that are sufficiently ambitious. That is how we achieve great results.”