Circular economy: business is already working, but its efforts alone are not enough

Lithuania's food and beverage industry is actively embracing circular economy principles, with companies significantly increasing their use of sustainable and recyclable packaging. This shift is partly a response to regulations, such as the requirement for at least 25% recycled plastic in PET beverage containers since January 1, 2023, pushing the sector to find practical solutions.

Inga Lungė, chairwoman of the boards for the associations "Lithuanian Beverages" and "Lithuanian Food Industry," highlighted the growing adoption of recyclable and monomaterial packaging, while composite materials are being phased out. The use of recycled plastic, especially in the soft drink industry, is also expanding. These changes extend beyond the packaging itself, involving the entire value chain from suppliers to consumers, with companies investing in lighter packaging, optimized designs, and testing reusable solutions.

However, Lungė pointed out that the transition is not merely technical. Businesses face practical obstacles, including ensuring alternative packaging, particularly biodegradable or reusable options, meets stringent food safety and logistics requirements. The substantial capital investment needed for innovation, supply chain restructuring, and workforce training also presents a challenge. Furthermore, systemic mismatches, such as underdeveloped recycling infrastructure and insufficient market demand for recycled materials, hinder progress.

Asta Burbaitė, marketing and communications manager at the packaging waste management organization "Žaliasis taškas," emphasized that the challenges extend beyond business decisions. The organization's core mission is to manage packaging waste for its members, who face strict regulations. Burbaitė noted that the current waste management sector's challenges are not solely business-driven, indicating a need for broader systemic solutions.

Lungė stressed the critical need for consistency and coherence in the regulatory environment, stable and predictable policies, unified EU standards, and effective collaboration between businesses, government, and consumers. Without a functioning system where sorted, collected, and recycled packaging becomes an integral part of the circular economy, even the most advanced solutions will falter.

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Even the most advanced solutions will not work if the entire system does not function properly, and a recycled package does not become part of the circular economy if it is not properly sorted, collected, and recycled.