Alternatives to conventional plastic bags

On January 20, 2009, the integrated National Plan of waste was adopted by the Conference of Ministers for the period 2008-2015. He sets out quantitative targets of prevention for shopping bags for single use, decreased 50% from 2010 and calendar of replacement of non-biodegradable plastics and progressive ban into force in 2010.

For this reason, Itene held June 17 in their facilities this seminar aimed to the sector of packing. The day will analyze the new legislative requirements and as affect the sector of the stock exchanges, and the new sustainable alternatives that exist at this time, especially in the innovation of new biodegradable materials. The day will include a number of experiences of companies that have adopted new technological developments and solutions in its production to reconcile environmental sustainability with the competitive requirements of the sector.

In the words of Javier Zabaleta, managing director of Itene: "Reconcile economic growth with environmental sustainability is one of the greatest challenges facing the sector of the container and packaging." "The packaging industry has been one of the most active and pioneering in the development of policies for minimizing the environmental impact, through reuse, recycling and the reduction of materials".

This issue is particularly sensitive in the case of commercial exchanges. The industry associated with the world of bags, in their different typologies and materials solutions, currently faces important challenges. This new Regulation catches not caught the industry associated with the manufacture of commercial exchanges that already has a long time to adapt to this new situation with very different approaches to work.

In the field of plastic, Spanish market it is possible to find bags of new materials from raw material renewable such as starch, etc., but they are still a little representative in volume but interesting option for its growth.

Other alternatives that already is betting are the manufacture of bags with biodegradable materials or the production of more durable and therefore reusable plastic bags. There are also Spanish distribution initiatives to encourage the use of reusable bags of different materials in order to get to the consumer to the more rational use of the bags.

Important advances in the field of recycling have already been made in the case of paper and carton. Increasingly high rates of recovery and recyclability of the same pose no doubt a more sustainable option.

The sector is already working on measures such as voluntary agreements with economic operators involved in the chain of packaging and marketing (manufacturers of packaging, Packers and dealers or distributors) to promote the prevention of packaging and packaging waste and in the sectors of the distribution agreements to reduce the generation of waste in bags of a just use and replacement of non-biodegradable single-use plastic bags for bags of biodegradable material.

Waste integrated national plan for the period 2008-2015

It is intended to serve as a guide for the development of specific policies to improve the management of waste, decreasing its generation and promoting their correct treatment in coordination with the autonomous communities and local entities.

The integrated National Plan of waste (PNIR) sets specific objectives for reduction, reuse, recycling, valuation and disposal and covers the treatment of household and similar waste residues of specific legislation (vehicles and tires out of use, hazardous, batteries and accumulators)(, electrical and electronic equipment of construction and demolition and sludge treatment plants), contaminated soil, as well as some agricultural and industrial non-hazardous waste. It also incorporates the strategy reducing landfill of biodegradable waste in order to reduce their impact on the environment and in particular contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases.

-Legislative requirements and regulations present and future that affect bags

Identification and anticipation of legal and regulatory requirements affecting the bags. Directive framework of waste, national law on waste, national and regional Plan of European guidelines for sustainable consumption and production and waste.

Rapporteur: Mercedes Hortal, responsible for the Department sustainability Itene.

-The key: raising awareness of consumers on the value of the stock exchanges

Presentation of the activities of the Association providing the point of view of the distribution on the present and future of the bags.

Speaker: Aurelio del Pino, director-general of Aces (Association of Spanish supermarkets chains).

-New sustainable alternatives in the sector of packing. Innovation in new materials

State of the art of biomaterials in the market today. Is it possible to replace conventional materials? Improvement of properties of biodegradable materials through nanotechnology and its application in the sector of packing.

Speaker: Susan Aucejo, responsible for the Department of materials, interactions and communication (MIC). Itene

-Innovating in sustainable Packaging solutions

Speaker: Borja Gibernau, CEO of Billerud.

-Production of biodegradable films in globe extrusion lines

Processing of biodegradable polymers of films of high-quality lines of extrusion of globe-biopolymer and machine components required. Experiences.

Rapporteur: Raymond van Hoorn, responsible for customer service representative of Windmöller & Höslcher.

-Color with respect and sustainability

Red compostable and biodegradable. Problematic use of inks, water, tips and best practices.

Speaker: Jordi Platero, Chimigraf flexible support and technical assistance.

-Conversion of bags of plastics from Windmöller & Hölscher machinery.

Process of Association in bags of plastic type: bag of asa's bond, punched handle bag, bag of diapers and hygiene.

-Paper background square, flat-bottomed and SOS bags bags

Presentation of the different types of bags of paper, your Association and trends.

Speaker: Peter Hoffman, head of sales of Garant Maschinen.

-The natural role as the life bag

Brief Association of Aifbop (Iberian Association of manufacturers of paper bags) and its objectives as a partnership.

Rapporteur: José Luis Olmedo, President of Aifbop.