EOG wraps up Single Use Plastics Project
The European Outdoor Group (EOG) has concluded one of its most successful collaborative projects, after it achieved all of its main objectives.
The Single Use Plastics Project (SUPP) began in 2018 and was formed in response to a demand from European Outdoor Group members and other outdoor industry stakeholders to address concerns about the use of poly bags in packaging.
Led by the EOG, SUPP designed solutions that worked across the value chain rather than solely within isolated organisations. Through collaboration, SUPP was able to align the approach of companies and also limit individual workloads and impact on resources.
SUPP members were part of a network of contributing organisations, including packaging manufacturers and other experts. Workstreams, many of which were member-led, sought to educate and inform, guide packaging strategy, support packaging design conversations, and develop resources for use by the wider outdoor industry.
Key outputs from SUPP have included:
• the Poly Bag Standards document
• the Single Use Plastics Project Report
• a short video for consumers
• retailer guidance and project recommendations; and
• a suite of member-only resources.
EOG sustainability project manager Dr Verity Hardy said: “Together, we have designed, tested and launched a way to reduce the use of virgin plastic and increasing the use of recycled LDPE for poly bags. SUPP has also removed poly bags from specific e-commerce products without negatively affecting product condition or consumer opinion, and introduced design guidelines for a recyclable and reusable poly bag.
“There is still room for improvement. More data is needed on the environmental performance of materials alternative to LDPE to inform sourcing decisions, municipal waste management systems must be improved to guarantee recycling of all thin film plastics, and revised EU legislation must clarify requirements for producers, brands and retailers in dealing with their plastic waste. At the EOG, and working with partners, we will continue to monitor these issues.”
