Rexam teams up with Carlsberg in new sustainability initiative

The new initiative, which uses the ‘Cradle-to-Cradle’ design framework, sees Carlsberg working with its suppliers to encourage innovation and quality in the industry, in pursuit of zero-waste.

The concept of Cradle-to-Cradle looks at rethinking the design and production of traditional packaging material, with an ambition of developing products that are optimised for recycling and reuse, while, at the same time, retain their quality and value.

The Carlsberg Circular Community aims to increase the creation of sustainable innovations, create clean materials streams that are optimised for reuse and recycling and support the sharing of knowledge between companies creating resource-efficient products.

Rexam Group Sustainability director John Revess said: “As a manufacturer, Rexam has a responsibility to work in an increasingly sustainable way. By partnering with our customers and the full supply chain, we can further improve the environmental impact of our industry as a whole.”

Carlsberg Group president and chief executive Jørgen Buhl Rasmussen added: “Carlsberg and its suppliers are taking an important step on the roadmap towards creating new benefits with packaging.

“This cooperation is a great example of companies planning together for the future, creating solutions to the global challenges that face us all. I encourage companies to join Carlsberg in its efforts to develop innovative packaging and rethink the concept of waste.”

Carlsberg intends to widen the community beyond founding members such as Rexam to 15 by 2016, supported by the technical expertise of EPEA [Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency] which is the leading scientific authority on Cradle-to-Cradle.

Liz Gyekye