4evergreen - Perfecting Circularity for Fibre-Based Packaging

Packaging is a key enabler of the circular economy.

Fibre-based packaging, in particular, is an appropriate solution in a variety of industries to protect goods on route to their final destination and it can be made of 100% renewable material. In Europe, today fibre-based packaging has a recycling rate of 82,5%. 4evergreen was established in 2019 to further improve its circularity and raise this rate to 90% by 2030.

4evergreen is a cross-industry alliance driven by the desire to meet some of the most pressing issues of our time. The global population is rising, resulting in increased food consumption and a greater need for packaging. To reduce pressure on natural resources, we need to focus on circularity. That’s why we bring together over 110 companies and organisations from across the value chain, adopting a holistic approach. Our members include consumer goods companies, packaging producers and converters, waste management companies, non-fibre-material suppliers, technology providers, leading research institutes and start-ups. This breadth allows us to reach consensus and implement change.

Our work is structured in four technical workstreams that look at the entire life cycle of fibre-based packaging, and one information workstream. They are all composed of industry experts who share best practices, prepare test programs to address unknowns, and create evidence-based deliverables. All of our  guidelines and protocols are developed by members with subject matter expertise, reviewed by peers, and built on a consensus involving approximately 400 delegates.