Eco-friendly Packaging to Global Value Chain
Global warming is one of the major global problems affecting extensive area worldwide. This is caused by over consumption of natural resources and lacking of well-planned development, environmental control as well as prevention measures. The increased awareness has also now focused on the importance of changing trends affecting the Eco-friendly packaging industry. There are many factors contributing to the growth of the Eco-friendly packaging industry. Whether it is an increase in the world's population, technological development, and innovation used in the production process to meet the demands of sustainable development trend.
In Thailand, since 2021, the BCG model (Bio-Circular-Green) Economy is used to drive the country's development to achieve high-income and meet the requirements of sustainable development.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of 17 targets, 169 objectives, and 232 indicators. SDGs are inherited from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). UN member states have agreed to set new development goals (SDGs) which are applicable from 2015 to 2030. Four of these 17 targets are related to eco-friendly packaging products, namely:
- SDGs 8: Promote sustainable, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. Full employment, productive and affordable jobs for all.
- SDGs 9: Build durable infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development, and foster innovation.
- SDGs 12: Ensure a production model and sustainable consumption.
- SDGs 13: Accelerate the fight against climate change and impacts occurred.
The collection of data and comments from experts in the Eco-friendly packaging industry were organized by the Food Innovation and Packaging Center (FIN) and School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University. Evidently, the opportunities and challenges of SMEs in Thailand and ASEAN are to establish a high potential Eco-friendly packaging production base as there exists abundant and diverse agricultural waste raw materials. These are used in novel research and innovations of bioplastics and plant pulp materials. In addition, there is an obvious market demand for natural and non-plastic materials. The recommended policies to forge the development of sustainable Eco-packaging for the future with the global value chain are as follows:
Upstream: Raw materials to Packaging
1. Raw materials E-database: Preparation of information in the form of an e-database on types, quantities, and sources of agricultural waste materials.
2. Proper agricultural raw materials production: Encouraging farmers to cultivate crops that can be used to produce eco-friendly packaging.
3. Research fund & networks: Providing research funds and building networks for researchers.
4. Investment promotion: Supporting loans for entrepreneurs and SMEs.
5. Testing & Certification Center: Establishment of laboratories to provide monitoring services for packaging qualification as well as product certification.
6. Patent promotion: Supporting technological licensing such as patents registration.
7. Knowledge management of raw materials: Promoting education for farmers in converting agricultural wastes into raw materials that are ready to enter the packaging process.
8. Alternative product production: Encouraging the use of eco-friendly packaging materials to produce other goods.
Midstream: Distributors to End-users
1. Plastic reduction policy: Issuing measures, banning the use of petroleum plastic and foam by agencies under the jurisdiction of each ministry.
2. Tax policy for polluter: Issuing tax measures based on the polluter pays principle.
3. Knowledge for Eco-packaging: Educating proper use of eco-friendly packaging.
4. Standard and marks: Establishing standards and symbols for eco-friendly packaging products.
5. Locally control and management: Decentralizing and delegating power to local governments for control and inspection of eco-friendly packaging.
Downstream: Waste management
1. Sorting and collecting plastic waste management: Educating waste sorting and offering the necessary equipment to collect particular type of waste.
2. Bio-based waste management: Promoting the management of packaging waste resulted from fiber-based through fertilizer and biogas production.
3. Bio-plastic waste management plant: Establishing a waste management plant to manage bio-plastic packaging waste which requires a specialized decomposition environment.
For more information: please contact Food Innovation and Packaging Center (FIN), www.fin.cmu.ac.th, Phone: 053-948286 | fininfo.fin@gmail.com
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