In the Netherlands alone, more than 33 kilos of food per person are wasted every year. Smarter packaging can be part of the solution, helping to reduce both food waste and unnecessary packaging waste.

The project Goed Verpakt (“Well Packaged”) brought together knowledge institutions, fruit and vegetable producers, meal providers, packaging manufacturers, and industry organizations. Together, they explored how product–packaging combinations can be redesigned to be more sustainable and to fit within a circular economy. The research also highlights the essential role of government: clear, effective, and well-informed regulation is needed to accelerate progress.

The project resulted in nine golden rules for integrated sustainable packaging.

Please note: the full report is written in Dutch.

Author(s): Deborah Sumter, Antien Zuidberg, Inge Oskam, Kim Poldner, Wander Colenbrander en Alex Hanhues