08 May Circular packaging with innovation, traceability and commitment in each package and label

Index of contents:

• Circular packaging with innovation, traceability and commitment in each package and label
• CEFLEX, a partnership to rethink flexible packaging and labels
• From labeling to circularity: DPG codes and return systems

The circular economy of flexible packaging and labels

Flexible packaging and labels are an essential part of many everyday products, from food to hygiene products. Their lightness, versatility and ease of transport have made them indispensable, but they have also posed significant challenges in terms of sustainability.

In this context, circular solutions have become a priority for our industry. The circular economy proposes a model in which materials are not discarded after use, but reincorporated into the value chain, reducing the extraction of natural resources and the generation of waste. In the field of packaging and labeling, this involves designing packaging that can be recycled, reused or composted, using recycled or renewable materials, and developing structures that are compatible with traceability and return systems.

At Rieusset, as part of the Gerosa Group, we have been actively involved for years in the evolution of the sector towards more sustainable models. Our actions seek to generate a positive impact on the environment and on all the people with whom we interact, which translates into concrete initiatives: from our participation in CEFLEX, the main European consortium promoting the circularity of flexible packaging, to our certification for the printing of the DPG code on labels to facilitate traceability and the return of containers.

CEFLEX, a partnership to rethink flexible packaging and labels

CEFLEX (Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging) is one of the most relevant collaborative projects at European level in the field of sustainability and circular economy applied to flexible packaging. It brings together more than 180 entities from across the flexible packaging value chain, from material manufacturers and converters to brands, retailers, recyclers and technology platforms. Its common goal is to drive solutions that will enable all flexible packaging used in Europe to be recyclable and effectively recycled on a large scale. This involves designing more recyclable products, encouraging the use of recovered materials, and advancing the collection, sorting and reuse of post-consumer material.

For both the Gerosa Group and Rieusset, our active participation in CEFLEX reflects a commitment that goes far beyond the institutional framework. As a specialized manufacturer of label printing and flexible packaging solutions, we adopt the eco-design principles recommended by the platform and are constantly working to make our products more recyclable, both in their structure and in the materials used.

We also promote continuous training for our teams to integrate the principles of the circular economy into our processes and the organizational culture. All of this reinforces our desire to contribute to an industry that acts with environmental responsibility and with the vision of creating a more sustainable, safer and healthier future.

From labeling to circularity: DPG codes and return systems

Moving towards circular production and consumption models also implies rethinking the role of the label. It is no longer just a visual or informational support, but a tool that can facilitate the return and correct classification of packaging.

A clear example is the Deposit Return Systems (DRS), which in European countries have already proven their usefulness in increasing packaging recovery. In this system, consumers pay a small deposit when purchasing a product and get it back when returning the packaging. The labels, incorporating unique codes (such as the DPG code), make it possible to automate this operation and facilitate its management.

But what exactly is a DPG code? It is an identifier that is printed on the package or on its label and is read by the machine that receives the product when it is returned. This code validates that the package is part of the deposit system and, therefore, that the amount initially paid is refunded. The acronym DPG refers to Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH, the German entity that has been regulating this system since 2005 in collaboration with the beverage and food industry, and which defines the legal and organizational framework to ensure the correct traceability and return of containers.

The management of these codes is not open to just anyone. Both the companies that print the code and those who use it must be certified by the agency itself. At Rieusset, we have had this certification since 2007, which authorizes us to print the code and also makes us the guarantor that our customers who use it comply with the corresponding regulations.

Printing the DPG code involves a number of technical and control requirements. A special ink supplied exclusively to authorized manufacturers is used, consumption is monitored to prevent any misuse, and the print quality is checked to ensure that it is of optimum quality. This last point is essential, as a printing error could result in the machine not recognizing the packaging, thus preventing the user from being reimbursed.

Beyond the technical aspect, DPG codes can also include useful information about the packaging material, the percentage of recycled content, recycling instructions or the value of the deposit. In turn, they can be integrated into reward systems, connected to mobile applications that indicate nearby collection points or allow the complete product lifecycle to be tracked. This technology brings us closer to a model in which every package is no longer a waste item but a resource.

 
The road to circularity in flexible packaging and labels is not a simple one, but it is underway. In the case of Spain, progress towards a circular packaging model has begun, although at a slower pace than in other European Union countries, where policies and measures are already more consolidated. Achieving this goal requires technological innovation, collective commitment and a long-term vision that integrates sustainability, functionality and traceability. At Rieusset, we believe that real change happens when sustainable solutions are translated into concrete actions, integrated into day-to-day production, design and consumer relations.

Our experience in label printing, coupled with our participation in projects such as CEFLEX and certification for DPG code management, allows us to be an active part of this transformation. We continue to move forward with a clear objective: to contribute to a more responsible industry, where every package has a second life and every action counts.