Taking advantage of the synergies between the different industrial and commercial packaging management systems, as well as guaranteeing efficient compliance with the law by companies that put packaging on the market, have been some of the main conclusions of the first business meeting with the presence of all Collective Systems of Extended Producer Responsibility (SCRAPs) focused on packaging held in Valencia.
A key meeting with more than 250 attendees, co-organized by the Container and Packaging Innovation Cluster together with the Business Confederation of the Valencian Community (CEV), which has served to clarify doubts about these systems and the obligations that companies have to comply with the new regulations for the management of industrial and commercial packaging waste established by the Royal Packaging Decree.
In the opening, Inmaculada García, general director of the CEV, explained that the role of the Confederation is to help companies in their demands and in complying with the new obligations. While Amaya Fernández, president of the Cluster, has highlighted the opportunity to have all the SCRAPs specialized in packaging in Spain in the same session and has claimed the importance of the packaging sector in the circular economy. For its part, Javier Sendra, regional secretary of Environment and Territory of the Department of Environment, Water, Infrastructure and Territory of the Generalitat Valenciana, has emphasized the fundamental role of SCRAPs in sustainable waste management, facilitating the selective collection and recycling of materials, and preventing them from ending up in landfills.
One of the highlights of the day was the presentation on “New business obligations for the management of commercial and industrial packaging. The role of SCRAPs”. On the one hand, Jorge Blanco, general director of Environmental Quality and Environmental Education of the Department of Environment of the Generalitat Valenciana, explained that all companies that put packaging on the market must pay for its management and recovery, and that SCRAPs can free municipalities from a significant expense.
On the other hand, Enrique Lopez, head of the Prevention, Reuse, Promotion of Recycling and Circular Resource Management Service of the Department of Environment of the Generalitat Valenciana, has influenced the complexity of the Royal Decree for both companies and the administration. He explained that the scope of application is all packaging placed on the national market and waste generated, explaining the obligations for example in the marking of packaging. He has also commented that all companies must be registered in the Registry of Product Producers in the packaging section, and that they must provide information on all packaging before March 31 of each year. And he has encouraged cooperation between all SCRAPs with collaboration agreements to guarantee effective collection throughout the national territory.
Presentation of the systems
SCRAPs are one of the options that companies can choose to comply with obligations, since these systems facilitate the selective collection and recycling of materials. Along these lines, each of the representatives of the SCRAPs of Spain has had the opportunity to present their services to the attending companies.
In this line, Jose Vicente Ronda, CEO at AEVAE, explained that it is a system aimed at manufacturers, packers and distributors of products for professional agricultural and livestock use, which guarantees collection and traceability for their correct valuation, and which has collection points and a system that has incorporated reusable containers.
While Pilar Arrayás, director of Circular Cardboard, explained that it is a system created by the paper and cardboard value chain, represented by AFCO, ASPACK, ASPAPEL and REPACAR, and that it is the SCRAP of industrial packaging for all types of packaging and materials, ensuring traceability. of the management and recycling of industrial packaging of any material.
Equally, Begoña de Benito, Director of External Relations and ESG at ECOEMBES, highlighted that they seek to apply all their experience to help companies, both with collective and individual systems. To this end, he explained that Ecoembes has created a SCRAP for domestic packaging and another for commercial packaging, and that the objective is to provide services for all the obligations of the Royal Decree.
As well, Luis Moreno, CEO at Ecolec Foundation, explained that they have transferred all their experience as a reference in waste management of electronic devices and batteries to create a SCRAP aimed at commercial, industrial and domestic packaging, efficiently fulfilling the responsibility of the producers that form it and ensuring the traceability of the products. waste.
Sandra Anguiano, Director of Public Affairs at Ecoglass, has clarified that they are specialists in glass management, whose management is particular because of the single-material collection through the iconic green container and because almost 50% of glass packaging waste falls on the hospitality industry. He has also detailed that to achieve waste collection objectives, all systems must work in collaboration with public administrations.
For its part, Mayca Bernardo, Head of Communication at Appreciate, system made up of more than 820 companies from various sectors and sizes that operate throughout the national system, with specialized management models for single-use packaging and reusable packaging, being a non-profit association made up of product producers. He has also explained that they help companies with future obligations, such as having to invoice the financial contribution that companies make to the SCRAPs as of January 1, 2025.
As well, Ainhöa Lizarbe, HR director II. and Communication of Genc y SIGAUS, has detailed that it is a multi-sector, multi-package system, that has no membership fee and that respects the operations that are already in force, explaining that they represent the interests of any sector, starting from the world of industrial oils that were already part of the system. , and guaranteeing universal and free collection.
One of the issues that has been emphasized Pedro Manuel Rodriguez, chief technician at Greta Point, is that it is a system specialized in companies in the chemical sector (detergency and cosmetics, water treatment, agri-food and livestock industries) with more than eight years of operation. He highlighted that they are working very hard on kilometer zero, seeking to ensure that prices are the most competitive in the market and with maximum transparency.
Moreover, Esther Colino, Director of Public Affairs and Communication at Procircular, explained that it is a system that operates 9 SCRAPs around the world, which is why they offer the ability to comply with the expanded producer responsibility in different countries and markets. He has also explained that his philosophy is to have all packaging in a single system, helping with compliance not only in Spain but abroad.
Likewise, Violeta Sanchez, responsible for the Business area in Recyclia, has commented that they have the experience and participation of more than 2000 producers in the field of batteries and electronic devices, and that it is a system specialized in commercial and industrial packaging of all materials, single-use or reusable. , seeking coordination between all agents in the packaging value chain.
In addition, Laura sanz, general secretary of CONFECOI and coordinator of It implies, has commented that the name SCRAP comes from its involvement with packaging management, with correct waste management in Spain, with a multi-sector, multi-material vision, managing single-use packaging and with a lot of experience in reusable packaging. He has also explained that the experience is endorsed by CONFECOI.
Finally, Rocío Pastor, general director at sigfito, has explained that it is the only industrial system authorized in the 17 autonomous communities, with more than 20 years managing agricultural packaging, and nearly 5.000 collection points throughout the national territory to provide service to farmers. He has also commented that with the new Royal Decree, they will expand their services to packaging in the livestock sector, as well as to traps for capturing insects.
In conclusion, this activity has been an opportunity for the attending companies to learn about all the options available in Spain for compliance with the Royal Packaging Decree in the management of their industrial and commercial waste in one go.
