Will packaging ever be truly circular? Jenny Wassenaar for Sustainability Magazine

In a recent discussion with Sustainability Magazine, Jenny Wassenaar, the Chief Sustainability Officer at Trivium Packaging, shared insights on achieving circularity and advancing sustainability in the packaging industry. As a leader in sustainable packaging, Trivium Packaging stands out with its focus on metal packaging, notably aluminium, due to its high recyclability. Approximately 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today, showcasing its potential for circularity.

Trivium’s CSO highlights the challenges in making packaging net-zero and waste-negative, given the difficulties in recycling certain materials at a global level. However, she notes that steel and aluminium, which are commonly used in packaging, have a clearer path to achieving net-zero status due to their high recyclability and the maintained quality of the material through recycling processes.

The conversation also explored the concept of closing the material loop, emphasising the importance of local recycling and the use of materials to minimise transport CO2 and costs. Trivium's efforts towards full circularity include working with recycling companies to secure high-purity aluminium from post-consumer waste and engaging in urban mining to efficiently recycle household waste.

For the full story, read the article on Sustainability Magazine’s website.