merlin distribution australian packaging covenant action...

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Merlin Distribution

Australian Packaging Covenant

Action Plan

March 31st 2011 – October 2012

Contents

Executive Summary – Merlin Distribution Commitment 2

Company Overview 3

Contact Information 3

Company Brands 4

Packaging Supply Chain 4

Implementing the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPG) 5

Packaging types and review of each against the SPGs 5-50

Key Performance Indicators and Targets for 2011-2012 51-52

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Company Overview Merlin Distribution is a privately owned organisation with employees whom have long standing knowledge of the Retail Hardware, Consumer and Trade markets across a broad range of Product Categories.

With a targeted approach to driving forces in society today, all products in the Merlin Distribution range have been inspired by the latest lifestyle trends, as well as by heightened consumer interest towards improved living standards; in regard to safety, greener energy solutions and natural resource

conservation. Merlin Distribution is focused on providing solutions for day to day issues governing the lives of average

Australians. These issues include: • Lifestyle • Safety

• The environment and energy conservation

In order to provide these solutions, Merlin Distribution is committed to providing the most up to date products in terms of product design and technology, at a high quality standard for the safety and enjoyment of its customers.

The diverse product range includes solar garden lighting, solar utility lighting, battery push lights, 12V LED outdoor garden lighting, safety boxes and enclosures, adaptors (including surge protection and energy saving adaptors), timers, powerboards, RCD protection products, extension leads, bathroom

heaters and exhaust fans, energy saving CFL lamps, and 240V halogen worklights. Since becoming a signatory to the APC in 2008, Merlin Distribution has been focused on reducing

packaging waste along the supply chain, working on packaging design and together with overseas suppliers towards the effort of implementing the Environmental Code of Practice for Packaging (ECoPP). This new action plan continues to support improved and sustainable packaging solutions incorporating the new sustainable packaging guidelines (SPG) which came into effect in July 2010

Company Contact Details For all matters pertaining to the Australian Packaging Covenant, the primary contact within Merlin Distribution is:

Katrina Andronas Product & Marketing Manager Phone: (02) 9416 1944

Fax: (02) 8580 5269 E-Mail: [email protected]

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Company Brands Merlin Distribution sells its wide product range under an umbrella of many brands. These brands are: • Solar Magic™

• Magic Garden™ • Solar Wizard™

• Magic Living™ • Excalibur™

• Powerking™

Packaging Supply Chain As a brand owner, all products are imported as finished goods with no manufacturing facilities in

Australia. Below is a simple flowchart outlining the packaging supply chain of Merlin Distribution.

Merlin Distribution

Product Supplier –

off-shore factory

Packaging supplier – sourced by product factory on behalf of Merlin Distribution, supplies packaging material to Merlin Product supplier

Packaging specification issued to Product Supplier by Merlin Distribution

Final packaged product supplied to Merlin Distribution from off-shore supplier and stored in Merlin

Distribution logistic warehouses across Australia

Products supplied to Retailer

Consumer

(End user)

Cartons disposed of - mass landfill

Cartons disposed of - recycled

Product packaging disposed of - mass landfill

Product packaging disposed of - recycled

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Implementing the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPG) In order to effectively conduct a review of all packaging against the SPGs, all products within the Merlin range, as per the above mentioned brand names, were categorised according to their packaging type.

Packaging Types Due to the nature of different products and merchandising expectations different customers have,

products in the Merlin range are packaged using a variety of different methods. These include: 1. Colour box packaging 2. Blister and clamshell packaging

3. POS counter top displays 4. Poly-bag with header card packaging 5. Cardboard sleeve packaging

All products are packaged into shipping cartons, with some products also packed into inner cartons

Conducting the SPG review of existing products Using the template and key principles outlined in the Australian Packaging Guidelines, the below table has been developed to review the packaging of existing products. In conducting this review, sustainability design strategies as outlined in the APC, have been used to determine the following:

• Whether all levels of packaging are necessary • Percentage of packaging components used which are not recyclable

• Whether any packaging components can be eliminated • Whether non-recyclable packaging can be replaced with recyclable packaging materials

• Identify packaging where the ‘mobius’ symbol is not used, and revise artwork to include this • Identify packaging where the ‘tidy bin’ symbol is not used (for non-recyclable materials), and revise

artwork to include this The sustainability design strategies as outlined in the APC are:

• Maximise water and energy efficiency • Minimise materials (source reduction)

• Use recycled materials • Use renewable materials

• Minimise risks associated with potentially toxic and hazardous materials • Use materials from responsible suppliers

• Design for transport • Design for reuse

• Design for recovery • Design for litter reduction

• Design for consumer accessibility • Provide consumer information

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1. COLOUR BOX PACKAGING

SPG / considerations Consumer packaging Secondary

packaging

Tertiary

packaging Recommendations

Documented

evidence

Minimise materials (source reduction)

Is the packaging necessary?

Yes – to protect the product and also to aid sales by way of providing a platform to communicate key product

features and benefits to the consumer

Yes – to protect the

colour box packaging and provide a means to transport goods

from offshore suppliers, and locally to customers

Yes – pallet wrapping is used for stability in transport the

goods to customers

N/A N/A

Has the packaging been designed

to minimise the amount of material necessary? Are there options to reduce the amount of packaging?

Yes – e.g. multi-pack items whereby more than one product is packaged within one

colour box, are strategically packed, in most cases with components nestled into one

another, to minimise the amount of inner packaging required to stabilise components, and also to reduce

the overall size of the colour box, therefore minimising materials used for inner packing

and also for the actual colour box

Yes – shipping cartons are always made as compact as

possible and often the colour box size is determined by the

most effective shipping carton size

Yes – pallet wrapping is used for transport,

however no further materials are added to the

packaging for transportation

N/A N/A

Are there any options to further reduce materials?

How would any changes impact product protection and consumer safety?

Possibility of reducing the

number of polybags used inside colour boxes, or reducing the thickness of polybags.

Polybags are used to protect some components inside some colour boxes Further investigation is required

into the impact this may have on product protection

No No

Investigate use of alternative packing

material for inner polybags, and also bubble-wrap bags

N/A Emails and/or

reports to be provided by suppliers

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SPG / considerations Consumer packaging Secondary packaging

Tertiary packaging

Recommendations Documented evidence

Maximise water and energy efficiency

Have you or our suppliers taken steps to optimise the energy

efficiency of production processes and distribution?

N/A - this cannot be controlled as all goods are manufactured externally by offshore suppliers

Have you or our suppliers taken steps to optimise the water

efficiency of production processes?


Have you considered using

renewable energy for manufacturing?


Use recycled materials

What is the amount and percentage of recycled material?

0% 0% 0%

Investigate the cost

and quality implications of using recycled materials

Emails and/or


Could alternative formats or materials incorporate recycled material or offer a better

environmental impact solution? If so, how much, and why were they not selected?

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging


Is it possible to use more post-consumer recycled material? If no, please explain the rationale

Possibly – this would need to

be explored and the impact on cost and levels of product protection will need to be

evaluated

No No

Work with suppliers to determine whether

polybags and bubble-wrap bags could be replaced with

alternative materials for product protection

N/A

Emails and/or reports to be provided by

suppliers

Have you discussed the use of recycled materials with your marketing department and identified any market concerns?

Yes – concerns raise were cost and product protection

Yes – concerns raised were cost and product protection

N/A

Determine the impact

any changes would have on product cost and also the protection for the

product

As above

If recycled content claim is made,

is the minimum level of recycled content use in accordance with AS/NZS 14021?

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Use renewable materials

What is the potential for and availability of materials derived from a renewable source?

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

What is the potential for

incorporating recyclable materials?

Already considered and in effect for most products. Where

additional product protection is required, e.g. foam packaging, it is not possible to use 100% recyclable materials

All shippers can be recycled

Pallet wrap is recyclable

N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging


Minimise risks associated with potentially toxic and hazardous materials

Have you applied conventional and conservative risk management principles in the

selection of substances for packaging applications?

Risks associated with foam and polybag packaging for inner

components not investigated

No risks associated with shipping

cartons

No risks associated with

pallet wrap

Investigate risks for polybags and foam

packing used

N/A Emails and/pr reports to be

provided by suppliers

Does the packaging meet Australian and / or international standards in relation to the levels

of potentially toxic and harmful substances?

Unknown Unknown Unknown Report on findings, as

above As above

Use materials from responsible suppliers

Are your raw materials sourced from suppliers who have

documented environmental management systems?

N/A – Raw materials are sourced externally by offshore suppliers

Design for transport

Can the distribution packaging be

reduced or eliminated through redesign of the primary or secondary package?

No – all colour box packaging

and shipping cartons have been designed for optimal efficiency

No No N/A Advice from Supply Chain

Are you currently using shelf ready / retail ready packaging? Is

it being used effectively? If it is not being used effectively has this been communicated to others in

the supply chain?

Yes – currently in use.

Recommendations have been made to the supply chain for improvements to be made

N/A N/A

Recommendations have been made to

the supply chain for improvements. These discussions are ongoing and

confidential

N/A

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Tertiary packaging


Are you fully utilising the transport options such as pallet

efficiency and truck height? Are there any efficiencies that can be achieved?

Yes Yes Yes N/A Advice from Supply Chain

Do you consider back-loading of used packaging or waste products

once deliveries have been made? Can your distribution network aid the recovery of used packaging?

N/A

No

This is not within the capabilities of our distribution network

N/A N/A Advice from Supply Chain

Design for Reuse

Have you considered and compared the environmental

benefits of reusable packaging with single-use packaging?

Not possible No Recyclable paper

pallets considered

Discussions ongoing

and confidential

Advice from

Supply Chain

Is the packaging format applicable for reconditioning once the packaging has fulfilled its

designated purpose? If the product cannot be reconditioned, can the reusable packaging be recycled?

Cannot be reconditioned

Shipping cartons can be reconditioned by

the customer. these can also be recycled

Pallet wrap cannot be

reconditioned by the customer, but can be recycled

N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging


Design for Recovery

To what extent are the packaging

material collected for recycling in the geographical area in which the product will be sold?

Most parts of the packaging can be recycled and collected

through curbside recycling The extent of recycling capabilities of different

geographical areas is unknown

100% 100% N/A N/A

How much of the packaging is

recyclable?

Currently for some colour box packaging, polybags, bubble

wrap and foam inserts are used to protect packaged components. It may not be possible to eliminate foam

inserts as they act to protect glass items, however it may be possible to eliminate the use of

bubble wrap and polybags since these are not post-consumer recycled materials

As above As above

Explore alternative packaging solutions to foam, polybags

and bubble-wrap and make necessary changes to packaging where possible

N/A

How many materials are being used for this packaging group? How many of these materials are

recyclable?

Varies depending on SKU Up to 5. Some of these materials

including foam, polybags and bubble wrap are not recyclable

1 – 2 materials 100%

1 material 100%

N/A N/A

Has the packaging been designed

to minimise the impacts that any components such as closures, labels, sleeves, carry handles, etc, may have on the recycling

process?

N/A

Yes – carton labels

are recyclable and ink used on the shipping cartons do not affect the

recycling process

N/A N/A N/A

Have you developed and

implemented appropriate labeling on packaging to encourage consumers to recycle or compost?

Yes, only on some packaging Yes – only one some cartons

N/A

Assess which

products don’t use mobius symbol and amend artwork where recycling is applicable

N/A

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Tertiary packaging


Design for litter reduction

Do you understand where, when and how the product will be used

and by whom?

Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A

Is the package likely to be consumed away from home and

therefore likely to have the propensity to become litter?

Unlikely N/A N/A N/A N/A

How many separate or easily separable components that could end up as litter does the packaging item have (e.g. screw

caps lids, peel off seals), can they be reduced?

Inner packing materials such as bubble wrap, cable ties and foam

Not applicable to all products

N/A N/A

Explore alternative and make necessary changes to packaging

where possible

N/A

Do you provide advice for consumers on the packaging to encourage appropriate disposal or

recovery?

No, but this could be considered

N/A N/A

Explore possibility of adding ‘tidyman’ symbol to packaging which cannot be

recycled

N/A

What steps have you undertaken to reduce the occurrence of your packaging in the litter stream?

None

Investigation into what recyclable materials can be replaced with recyclable

materials in order to reduce waste

Mobius loop used on many cartons to encourage recycling

N/A

Investigate what recyclable materials can be replaced with

recyclable materials

N/A

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Tertiary packaging


Design for consumer accessibility

Have you considered whether the level of information on the

packaging ensures the consumer is aware of its contents and how to open the package?

Yes – there is sufficient information on the packaging to

communicate contents, but no need to include instructions on how to open packaging

N/A N/A N/A N/A

Have you considered the demographic of the consumer

who will use the product? Are there any limiting factors typically associated with these consumers?

No limiting factors N/A N/A N/A N/A

Can changes be made to improve the ability of the consumer to use

the packaging without compromising the safety, security or quality?

No – packaging is easy to open N/A N/A N/A N/A

To what extent has your company ever received any complaints in

relation to accessibility of packaging?

No complaints N/A N/A N/A N/A

Could an alternative design be used efficiently to minimise the requirement for tools such as a

knife or scissors?

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging


Provide consumer information on sustainability

What environmental issues have been considered during

development of the product’s marketing strategy, e.g. use of environmental claims, logos and

consumer education?

When making environmental

claims and using accompanying logos, advice is always sought from legal experts

N/A N/A N/A Documentation from attorneys

Has information been used on the packaging to encourage recycling, e.g. the Mobius loop?

Yes, but not on all packaging Yes, but not on all packaging

N/A

Assess which products in the range

do not currently use the mobius loop and amend artwork where the packaging is

recyclable

N/A

If recycling symbols are used on

packaging, have you identified existing systems that will be able to recycle the packaging?

Yes – curbside recycling

Yes – shippers can

be recycled by stores, at their own accord

Yes – pallet wrap

can be recycled by stores, at their own accord

N/A N/A

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2. BLISTER & CLAMSHELL PACKAGING


Tertiary packaging




Yes – to protect the product

and also to aid sales by way of providing a platform to communicate key product features and benefits to the

consumer

Yes – to protect the colour packaging

and provide a means to transport goods from offshore

suppliers, and locally to customers

Yes – pallet

wrapping is used for stability in transport the goods to

customers

N/A N/A

Has the packaging been designed to minimise the amount of

material necessary? Are there options to reduce the amount of packaging?

Yes – blister packaging is

designed to be minimal in size to take up less space on shelf. Product instructions are also printed on the rear side of the

blister card in some cases, eliminating the need for a separate instructions manual,

therefore reducing packaging materials

Yes – shipping cartons are always

made as compact as possible

Yes – pallet wrapping is used for transport, however no

further materials are added to the packaging for

transportation

N/A N/A

Are there any options to further reduce materials? How would any changes impact product protection and consumer

safety?

No No No N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging














0% 0% 0%



Emails and/or




N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging


Is it possible to use more post-

consumer recycled material? If no, please explain the rationale

No. All materials can be recycled

All blisters are made from either PET or PVC material (class 1 and 3)

No No N/A

N/A Emails and/or


Have you discussed the use of

recycled materials with your marketing department and identified any market concerns?

Yes – concerns raise were cost and product protection

Yes – concerns

raised were cost and product protection

N/A

Determine the impact any changes would

have on product cost and also the protection for the product

As above

If recycled content claim is made, is the minimum level of recycled

content use in accordance with AS/NZS 14021?

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A


What is the potential for and

availability of materials derived from a renewable source?

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A



Already considered and in effect

all materials used can be recycled



N/A N/A

Have you applied conventional and conservative risk

management principles in the selection of substances for packaging applications?

Risks associated with plastic blister packs not investigated

No risks associated

with shipping cartons

No risks

associated with pallet wrap

Investigate risks for plastic blister packs

N/A Emails and/or


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Tertiary packaging






above As above


Are your raw materials sourced

from suppliers who have documented environmental management systems?





No – all blister packs and shipping cartons have been designed for optimal efficiency

No No N/A Advice from Supply Chain



the supply chain?

Yes – inner cartons with cut

case designs converting them to shelf display boxes These are effective

Yes – inner cartons with cut case

designs converting them to shelf display boxes

These are effective

N/A N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging







N/A

No



Design for Reuse




pallets considered

Discussions ongoing

and confidential

Advice from

Supply Chain








N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging


Design for Recovery


materials collected for recycling in the geographical area in which the product will be sold?

The extent of recycling

capabilities of different geographical areas is unknown

100% 100% N/A N/A

How much of the packaging is recyclable?

100% As above As above N/A N/A

How many materials are being used for this packaging group?

How many of these materials are recyclable?

2

100%

1 – 2 materials

100%

1 material

100% N/A N/A

Has the packaging been designed to minimise the impacts that any components such as closures,

labels, sleeves, carry handles, etc, may have on the recycling process?

N/A

Yes – carton labels are recyclable and ink used on the

shipping cartons do not affect the recycling process

N/A N/A N/A

Have you developed and implemented appropriate labeling

on packaging to encourage consumers to recycle or compost?

Yes, only on some packaging Yes – only one some

cartons N/A

Assess which products don’t use recyclable symbols

and amend artwork where packaging is recyclable

N/A

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Tertiary packaging



Do you understand where, when

and how the product will be used and by whom?

Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A

Is the package likely to be

consumed away from home and therefore likely to have the propensity to become litter?


How many separate or easily separable components that could end up as litter does the

packaging item have (e.g. screw caps lids, peel off seals), can they be reduced?

N/A N/A N/A

Explore alternative and make necessary

changes to packaging where possible

N/A

Do you provide advice for consumers on the packaging to

encourage appropriate disposal or recovery?

N/A

All material should be recycled N/A N/A N/A N/A

What steps have you undertaken to reduce the occurrence of your

packaging in the litter stream?

All packaging material within this class is recyclable. The use of the mobius loop has

been applied to many products to encourage recycling

Mobius loop used on many cartons

N/A

Add the mobius loop to more blister packs where this is

currently not used

N/A

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Tertiary packaging





Yes – there is sufficient information on the packaging to

communicate contents, but no need to include instructions on how to open packaging

N/A N/A N/A N/A






No changes can be recommended without

compromising the product security

N/A N/A N/A N/A





knife or scissors?

Yes, but this would compromise product security

N/A N/A N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging





consumer education?

When making environmental

claims and using accompanying logos, advice is always sought from legal experts

N/A N/A N/A Documentation from attorneys



N/A



recyclable

N/A






Yes – pallet wrap


N/A N/A

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3. POS DISPLAY CARTONS


Tertiary packaging




Yes – to protect the product

and also as a POS merchandising tool Individual product swing tag also necessary as this includes

product information and barcode for POS scanning

Yes – to protect the display carton

packaging and provide a means to transport goods

from offshore suppliers, and locally to customers

Yes – pallet

wrapping is used for stability in transport the

goods to customers

N/A N/A

Has the packaging been designed to minimise the amount of

material necessary? Are there options to reduce the amount of packaging?

No – this style of packaging is not designed to minimise

material. This is designed with the objective of maximising visual impact

Yes – shipping cartons are always made as compact as possible and often

the colour box size is determined by the most effective

shipping carton size

Yes – pallet wrapping is used for transport, however no

further materials are added to the packaging for

transportation

N/A N/A

Are there any options to further

reduce materials? How would any changes impact product protection and consumer safety?

Possibility of removing foam

packing where this is included, however removing one material is likely to mean it will need to be replaced by another

No No Explore possibility of using alternative material to foam

N/A

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Tertiary packaging














0% 0% 0%



Emails and/or




N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging


Is it possible to use more post-consumer recycled material? If

no, please explain the rationale

Possibly – this would need to be explored and the impact on cost and levels of product

protection will need to be evaluated

Possibly – this would need to be explored and the impact on

cost and supplier capability will need to be evaluated

No

Work with suppliers to determine what levels of non-

recyclable materials can be replaced with recyclable materials

N/A Emails and/or reports to be




Yes – concern raised was cost implications

Yes – concerns


N/A


have on product cost and also the protection for the

product

As above



N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A


What is the potential for and availability of materials derived

from a renewable source?

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

What is the potential for incorporating recyclable materials?

Already considered and in effect

for most products. Where additional packing is required, e.g. foam packaging, it is not possible to use 100% recyclable

materials



N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging





Risks associated with foam packaging for inner components

not investigated


cartons


pallet wrap

Investigate risks for

foam packing used






above As above


Are your raw materials sourced from suppliers who have

documented environmental management systems?





Currently under review Currently under review

N/A Currently under review

Advice from Supply Chain



the supply chain?

Yes – currently in use

Recommendations have been made to the supply chain for improvements to be made

N/A N/A


the supply chain for improvements. These discussions are ongoing and

confidential

N/A

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Tertiary packaging







N/A

No



Design for Reuse




pallets considered

Discussions ongoing

and confidential

Advice from

Supply Chain








N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging


Design for Recovery

To what extent are the packaging materials collected for recycling in the geographical area in which the product will be sold?

Most parts of the individual product packaging can be

recycled and collected through curbside recycling The extent of recycling


100% 100% N/A N/A


77%

Plastic tag attaching swing tag to product is not recyclable Where foam is used, only 50%

of materials can be recycled

As above As above N/A N/A

How many materials are being

used for this packaging group? How many of these materials are recyclable?

Varies depending on SKU Up to 3

Some of these materials including foam and plastic cattle tie are not recyclable


1 material 100%

N/A N/A

Has the packaging been designed to minimise the impacts that any

components such as closures, labels, sleeves, carry handles, etc, may have on the recycling process?

No

Yes – carton labels are recyclable and

ink used on the shipping cartons do not affect the recycling process

N/A N/A N/A

Have you developed and implemented appropriate labeling

on packaging to encourage consumers to recycle or compost?

Yes, only on some packaging Yes – only one some

cartons N/A

Assess which products don’t use recyclable symbols

and amend artwork where packaging is recyclable

N/A

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Tertiary packaging





Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A






1 – plastic tie which connects

individual product swing tag to product

N/A N/A

Explore alternative

method of attaching swing tag

N/A



No, but this could be

considered N/A N/A

Explore possibility of adding ‘tidyman’ symbol to packaging

which cannot be recycled

N/A



None Investigation into what recyclable materials can be

replaced with recyclable materials in order to reduce waste

N/A N/A

Investigate what recyclable materials

can be replaced with recyclable materials

N/A

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Tertiary packaging





N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A






N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A





knife or scissors?

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging





consumer education?

N/A N/A N/A N/A Documentation from attorneys



N/A



recyclable

N/A






Yes – pallet wrap


N/A N/A

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4. BAG AND HEADER CARD PACKAGING


Tertiary packaging



Is the packaging necessary? Yes – to protect the product and also as a POS merchandising tool

Yes – to protect the individual packaging



Yes – pallet


customers

N/A N/A

Has the packaging been designed to minimise the amount of material necessary?

Are there options to reduce the amount of packaging?

Yes – designed to be minimal in

size to take up less space on shelf. Product instructions are also printed on the rear side of the

header card, eliminating the need for a separate instructions manual, therefore reducing

packaging materials

Yes – shipping

cartons are always made as compact as possible and often

the colour box size is determined by the most effective shipping carton size

Yes – pallet

wrapping is used for transport, however no

further materials are added to the packaging for transportation

N/A N/A



Possibility of reducing thickness

of polybag. This will only be done if the quality and protection level provided by the packaging is not compromised

No No Reducing thickness of polybag to be explored

N/A

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Tertiary packaging














0% 0% 0%



Emails and/or




N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging




No

Plastic bags cannot be recycled post-consumer

No No N/A N/A



Yes – concerns raised were cost

implications and protection of product

Yes – concerns


N/A



As above



N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A




N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A



Plastic bags cannot be recycled post-consumer



N/A N/A



Risks associated with polybag

packaging not investigated


cartons


pallet wrap

Investigate risks for

polybag packing used



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Tertiary packaging






above As above








No – all bags and shipping cartons have been designed for optimal efficiency

No N/A N/A Advice from Supply Chain



the supply chain?

Yes – inner cartons with cut

case designs converting them to shelf display boxes These are effective

Yes – inner cartons with cut case

designs converting them to shelf display boxes

These are effective

N/A


the supply chain for improvements. These discussions are

ongoing and confidential

N/A

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Tertiary packaging







N/A

No



Design for Reuse




pallets considered

Discussions ongoing

and confidential

Advice from

Supply Chain








N/A N/A

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Tertiary packaging


Design for Recovery


materials collected for recycling in the geographical area in which the product will be sold?

The extent of recycling capabilities of different

geographical areas is unknown, however plastic bags cannot be recycled post-consumer

100% 100% N/A N/A


Depends on SKU Where bag and cardboard card

is used – 50% Where polybag is used with reinforced metal ring 0% can be recycled

As above As above N/A N/A



Varies depending on SKU Up to 2 Where bag and cardboard card

is used – 50% Where polybag is used with reinforced metal ring 0% can

be recycled


1 material 100%

N/A N/A


components such as closures, labels, sleeves, carry handles, etc, may have on the recycling

process?

No


ink used on the shipping cartons do not affect the

recycling process

N/A N/A N/A




N/A

Assess which products don’t use

recyclable symbols and amend artwork where packaging is recyclable

N/A

P a g e | 39


Tertiary packaging





Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A






1 – metal ring reinforcing

hanging hole N/A N/A N/A N/A



No, but this could be

considered N/A N/A



N/A

What steps have you undertaken to reduce the occurrence of your packaging in the litter stream?

None N/A N/A

Review packaging and adding mobius symbol to packs

which can be recycled, i.e. header card products only, and add ‘tidyman’

symbol to non-recyclable packaging

N/A

P a g e | 40


Tertiary packaging



Have you considered whether the

level of information on the packaging ensures the consumer is aware of its contents and how to open the package?

Yes there is sufficient information on the packaging to

communicate to the consumer the contents, but no need to advise on how to open the

packaging

N/A N/A N/A N/A






No N/A N/A N/A N/A





knife or scissors?

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

P a g e | 41


Tertiary packaging





consumer education?




N/A



recyclable

N/A



N/A



Yes – pallet wrap


N/A N/A

P a g e | 42

5. CARDBOARD SLEEVE PACKAGING


Tertiary packaging




Yes

To protect the product To act as selling tool with features and benefits printed To hanging and display

purposes

Yes – to protect the individual packaging



Yes – pallet


customers

N/A N/A

Has the packaging been designed to minimise the amount of material necessary?

Are there options to reduce the amount of packaging?

Yes – designed to be minimal in

size to take up less space on shelf. Product instructions are also printed on the rear side of the

card, eliminating the need for a separate instructions manual, therefore reducing packaging

materials

Yes – shipping

cartons are always made as compact as possible and often

the colour box size is determined by the most effective shipping carton size

Yes – pallet

wrapping is used for transport, however no

further materials are added to the packaging for transportation

N/A N/A



No No No N/A N/A

P a g e | 43


Tertiary packaging














0% 0% 0%



Emails and/or




N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

P a g e | 44


Tertiary packaging




No

All packaging is made of cardboard and can be recycled

No No N/A N/A



Yes – concerns raised were cost

implications and protection of product

Yes – concerns


N/A



As above



N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A




N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

What is the potential for incorporating recyclable

materials?

Already considered and in effect All materials can be recycled



N/A N/A



No risks associated with cardboard packaging


cartons


pallet wrap

N/A N/A

P a g e | 45


Tertiary packaging






above As above








No – all packing and shipping cartons have been designed for optimal efficiency

No N/A N/A Advice from Supply Chain



the supply chain?

No N/A N/A N/A N/A

P a g e | 46


Tertiary packaging







N/A

No



Design for Reuse




pallets considered

Discussions ongoing

and confidential

Advice from

Supply Chain








N/A N/A

P a g e | 47


Tertiary packaging


Design for Recovery

To what extent are the packaging materials collected for recycling in the geographical area in which the product will be sold?

All parts of the individual product packaging can be

recycled and collected through curbside recycling The extent of recycling


100% 100% N/A N/A


100% As above As above N/A N/A



Varies depending on SKU

Up to 2 Cardboard sleeve and in some cases clear film wrapping


1 material 100%

N/A N/A


components such as closures, labels, sleeves, carry handles, etc, may have on the recycling

process?

No


ink used on the shipping cartons do not affect the

recycling process

N/A N/A N/A




N/A

Assess which products don’t use

recyclable symbols and amend artwork where packaging is recyclable

N/A

P a g e | 48


Tertiary packaging





Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A






None N/A N/A

Explore alternative

method of attaching swing tag

N/A



N/A N/A N/A



N/A



Reviewing packaging and adding mobius symbol to packs

which can be recycled

N/A N/A

Investigate what recyclable materials can be replaced with

recyclable materials

N/A

P a g e | 49


Tertiary packaging



Have you considered whether the

level of information on the packaging ensures the consumer is aware of its contents and how to open the package?

Yes there is sufficient information on the packaging to

communicate to the consumer the contents, but no need to advise on how to open the

packaging

N/A N/A N/A N/A






No N/A N/A N/A N/A





knife or scissors?

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

P a g e | 50


Tertiary packaging





consumer education?




N/A



recyclable

N/A






Yes – pallet wrap


N/A N/A

P a g e | 51

Key Performance Indicators and Targets – Action Plan

Covenant performance goals and KPIs Actions Responsibility

Target or

performance goal

Timeline /

milestone (MM / YY)

Design – optimise packaging to achieve resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact

without compromising product quality and safety KPI 1 Proportion of signatories in the supply chain

implementing the SPG for design or procurement of packaging Target: 70% of Covenant signatories with documented policies and procedures for evaluating and procuring

packaging using the SPG or equivalent Target: 70% of Covenant signatories assessing 100% of new packaging and 50% of existing packaging against

the guidelines

1. Conduct above SPG review of all existing products and packaging types to determine whether non-recyclable materials can be

reduced/replaced 2 .Review artwork of existing products, including carton markings, and apply

mobius and tidyman symbols where applicable

Marketing and supply chain

Reduce non-

recyclable materials for existing

packaging Reduce litter impact and

encourage recycling of packaging

10 / 12

Recycling – the efficient collection and recycling of packaging

KPI 3 Proportion of signatories with on-site recovery systems for recycling used packaging KPI 4 Proportion of signatories with a policy to buy

products made from recycled packaging All Covenant signatories will have a formal, documented policy of buying recycled products or materials

1. Investigate the feasibility of on-site

recovery for used packaging 2. Investigate the feasibility of incorporating recycled materials in existing packaging, as outlined in the above table for SPG action

points

Marketing

Improve

recycling processes at production, and also post-

consumer

10 / 12

Product stewardship – a demonstrated

commitment to product stewardship by the supply chain and other signatories KPI 6 Proportion of signatories that have formal

processes for working with others to improve design and recycling of packaging

1. Conduct above SPG review of all existing products and packaging types to determine whether non-recyclable materials can be

reduced/replaced 2 .Review artwork of existing products including carton markings, and apply

mobius and tidyman symbols where applicable 3. Design a checklist for new packaging design incorporating responsible SPGs

Marketing and supply chain

Ensure new

packaging is effectively designed

against the SPGs

10 / 12 10 / 12

06 / 11

P a g e | 52

Covenant performance goals and KPIs Actions Responsibility

Target or

performance goal

Timeline /

milestone (MM / YY)

Target: 70% of Covenant signatories are

implementing formal policies and procedures in working with others to improve design, procurement and recovery of packaging

KPI 7 Proportion of signatories demonstrating other product stewardship outcomes Target: Continuous reduction in the number of packaging

items in litter

1. Explore possibility of adding ‘tidyman’ symbol to packaging which cannot be

recycled

Marketing

Reduce litter impact and encourage

recycling of packaging

10 / 12

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