Jim Bligh , FDF ’ s Director of Corporate Affairs and Packaging , on spearheading a sustainable packaging revolution , advocating for innovation , and the need for regulatory clarity in the industry
Revolutionising packaging : Navigating towards a sustainable future
Jim Bligh , FDF ’ s Director of Corporate Affairs and Packaging , on spearheading a sustainable packaging revolution , advocating for innovation , and the need for regulatory clarity in the industry
In the rapidly evolving packaging world , enhancements in food packaging persistently surface and bring revolution to the industry , which is shifting towards a more transparent , reliable , and socially responsible future .
A quick web search around any key headwinds that the packaging sector can expect in the coming years regularly throws up the Food & Drink Federation ( FDF ) and one man in particular : Jim Bligh , Corporate & Public Affairs Director .
The packaging landscape is expected to undergo significant changes driven by Extended Producer Responsibility ( EPR ) and similar policies . Clearer regulations are anticipated to spur innovation and investment in sustainable practices . Whilst Bligh envisions a future where supermarket shelves feature products made from different , more recyclable materials , reflecting shifts in consumer behaviour and manufacturing practices , a quick rummage around his current and rather busy in-tray shows challenges remain .
Whether it ’ s ensuring a consistent supply of recycled content or governmental focus on fee collection over system efficiency , Bligh believes the pending transformation of the entire packaging value chain isn ’ t just about materials — it ’ s about revolutionising the entire packaging ecosystem , from production to disposal .
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“ I think it ’ s accelerating ,” Bligh told London Packaging Week . “ I think with the changes in material science , the advances we ’ re making on different types of materials in all parts of the economy present huge opportunities . The biggest opportunities we ’ ve seen for decades in packaging ! Having clarity on rules , more investment , direct financial incentives through EPR , and various other things will mean that we ’ re at the cusp of a new leap in how we package our products . I think we ’ ll see less plastic , and replacing plastic is a long-term challenge that no one has completely solved . So , watch that space , particularly in the material science world .”
Bligh , a recently appointed member of the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards 2024 Jury , sees vast opportunities emerging from advances in material science , anticipating a shift away from plastics towards more sustainable alternatives . However , uncertainties persist , particularly regarding implementing EPR and Deposit Return Schemes ( DRS ). Despite consultations starting seven years ago , progress has been slow , leaving industries unsure about the recyclability of innovative packaging materials .
“ You ’ d expect that we ’ ll see quite rapid progress over the next two or three years ,” said Bligh . “ But what that will mean for the industry then is standard rules on recyclability in particular . So , when we ’ re innovating , creating new packaging , and creating new products , we ’ ll know whether they ’ ll be recyclable or not . One of the problems at the moment is that there ’ s a whole load of innovation going on , but , for example , if you ’ re making paper packs for your crisps , we don ’ t know when they ’ ll even be able to be recycled under the new systems that we ’ ll have in place in the coming years . We just need to get on with it and work with the government to build systems that work and attract the right investment to get that circular economy going .”
As the United Kingdom grapples with the pressing issue of improving its recycling rates , the conversation around EPR becomes ever more crucial . EPR schemes , which place the onus on producers to manage the