Contribution diversification for paper

Contribution diversification for paper and cardboard packaging

Objective

Contribution diversification is one of the levers used to steer companies towards increasingly recyclable packaging.

For the paper and cardboard supply chain, the diversification project has been oriented, starting from the application of an additional contribution (extra CAC) relating to polylaminated containers mainly made of paper suitable for containing liquids to improving the effectiveness of the recovery process of the most complex cellulose-based packaging to be recycled, through the consolidation and development of collection, sorting and recycling activities.

CONAI then continued with the contribution diversification process for other composite – or polylaminated – packaging types mainly made of paper (other than CPL) – always through the application of an extra CAC – in order to correlate the Contribution to their actual recyclability and environmental impacts, as well as the emerging costs associated with their end-of-life management.

News for 2021 (update following the Conai Board of Directors’ resolution of 19 May 2021)

Polylaminates for liquids

As a result of the reduction in the ordinary contribution for paper and cardboard packaging (from 55.00 €/t to 25.00 €/t, from 1 July 2021), for paper-based polylaminated products suitable for containing liquids (CPL), the Environmental Contribution will be reduced – with the same starting date – from 75 €/t to 45 €/t, with the extra CAC of  20 €/t remaining unchanged.

News for 2022 (update following the Conai Board of Directors’ resolution of 19 May 2021 and of 14 October 2021)

The CONAI Board of Directors has established the extension of contribution diversification also to other paper and cardboard-based composite packaging other than containers for liquids and a decrease in the value of the CAC for paper and cardboard from 25.00 €/t to 10.00 €/t.

For mainly paper -based polylaminated packaging suitable for containing liquids (CPL), the Environmental Contribution will be reduced from 45.00 €/t to 30.00 €/t, the extra CAC of 20 €/t remaining unchanged.

The new diversification will take effect from 1 January 2022.

Mainly paper and cardboard-based composite packaging, other than that for liquids, was divided into four types based on the weight of the paper component in the total packaging weight.

For the first two types, A and B, with a paper and cardboard component greater than or equal to 90 and 80%, respectively, no extra CAC will be applied for the time being.

The third type, C, is that which identifies packaging in which the paper and cardboard component is greater than or equal to 60% and less than 80%. The recycling operations for this packaging are complex and costly: out of 100 kg of packaging, more than 60 kg becomes non-recyclable waste with the current state of technology.

Starting from 1 January 2022, packaging in this level will pay an extra CAC of 110 €/t.

The fourth type, D, is that of composite packaging in which the paper and cardboard component is less than 60%: a percentage that compromises the recyclability of such packaging, making it impossible, with obvious consequences in terms of environmental impact. In the recycling process, in fact, 100 kg of this packaging produces more than 85 kg of dry waste and almost 150 kg of wet waste to be disposed of in landfills, after consuming water and electricity.

For this packaging, the extra CAC will therefore be 240 €/t. Packaging whose paper and cardboard component is not explicitly stated will also be included in Level D.

Therefore, since this packaging is not recyclable with paper and cardboard, the companies that produce and use it are asked to suggest on the label that it be disposed of with unseparated waste collection, in order to minimise the environmental impact linked to its end-of-life management.

The table with the changes in Environmental Contributions for paper and cardboard packaging and the related effective dates is available at the following link: Table_changes_CAC_paper_2022

Brief history

2018

Starting from 1 January 2018, CONAI introduced the CONAI Environmental Contribution (CAC) diversified for plastic packaging with the aim of encouraging the use of the most recyclable types and using the Contribution lever as a tool to promote the reduction of its environmental impact. In the past, some facilitated procedures had already been introduced for reusable packaging in controlled and particularly virtuous circuits from the environmental point of view.

In July 2018, the CONAI Board of Directors considered it appropriate to take a step forward – with a view to continuous improvement – and thus approved a Contribution diversification project for paper and cardboard packaging dedicated in the first instance to polylaminated packaging mainly made of paper suitable for containing liquids (CPL), for which industrial processes have been introduced in specialised paper mills since a number of years now for greater value creation in terms of recycling. In particular, this refers to primary packaging mainly made of paper and cardboard, coupled with plastic and possibly aluminium material. This item includes, by way of example, so-called beverage cartons (for milk, fruit juices, etc.) and the same types of packaging for other foodstuffs (sauces, purées, legumes, etc.). Packaging items for catering (plates, cups, containers with their lids) are, on the other hand, excluded.

From the activities carried out to date, it emerges that the best results in terms of recycling are obtained when polylaminated packaging mainly made of paper suitable for containing liquids is disposed of by citizens in light multi-material separate collection or in paper and cardboard separate collection and then sent to specialised paper mills for specific recycling.

The diversification project is therefore oriented towards the development of collection and remuneration activities and of investments for sorting and recycling operations, through the application of an extra CAC on the specific type of packaging identified.

A dedicated Working Group of CONAI directors, belonging to the category of both packaging users as well as producers, was therefore set up for the necessary in-depth analysis  which led to defining an extra CAC of 20 €/t.

2019

Given an Environmental Contribution for paper and cardboard packaging of 20.00 €/t, from 1 January 2019 an extra contribution on polylaminates suitable for containing liquids of  20.00 €/t, for a total amount of 40.00 €/t was also applied.

More info

The summary of the process followed (validated by DNV GL, Certification Body) is provided in PAPER_Diversified_CAC_summary_document

The validation report ((Validation_report_paper_contribution),  on the other hand, is available in Document download, Publications and notes section.

At the same time, the COMIECO Consortium undertook to report on the results, after one year of experimentation, and to provide – on request – more specific information.

2020 

A – (update following the Conai Board of Directors’ meeting of 17 July 2019)

As a result of the increase in the unit CAC for paper and cardboard packaging to 35 €/t, as of 1.1.2020, application of the extra CAC (confirmed at 20 €/t) brings the Environmental Contribution for mainly paper–based polylaminated packaging suitable for containing liquids to 55 €/t.

B – (update following the Conai Board of Directors’ meeting of 19 February 2020)

As a result of the increase in the unit CAC for paper and cardboard packaging to 55 €/t, as of 1.6.2020, application of the extra CAC (confirmed at 20 €/t) brings the Environmental Contribution for mainly paper–based polylaminated packaging suitable for containing liquids to 75 €/t.

C – (update following the Conai Board of Directors’ meeting of 23 June 2020)

A year and half since its introduction, at the request of Comieco, Conai decided to continue with the process also for other mainly paper-based polylaminated packaging other than CPL (packaging consisting structurally of two or more materials that cannot be separated manually, in which the main material in terms of weight is paper, and the weight of the non-cellulose material is, in any case, greater than 5% of the total weight of the packaging).

This new diversification phase included a trial period of at least 12 months starting from October 2020, with new Declaration Forms, with the same Environmental Contribution, i.e. 55 €/t, but with a clear distinction of the types of packaging subject to diversification. In fact, four new categories of mainly paper-based polylaminated packaging were envisaged based on the percentage by weight of the paper component:

• Type A polylaminates (Paper component ≥ 90% and < 95%), other than CPL
• Type B polylaminates (Paper component ≥ 80% and < 90%), other than CPL
• Type C polylaminates (Paper component ≥ 60% and < 80%), other than CPL
• Type D polylaminates (Paper component < 60%), other than CPL.

Who to contact for clarification

In the “FAQ” section (Frequently Asked FAQ) dedicated to the “Diversified paper and cardboard contribution“ topic, clarification is available on the main questions raised by companies and associations.

For any clarification or questions, in addition to the CONAI Toll-Free Number 800337799, the online form is available in the “Contact Us” area of the CONAI website, by selecting the item “PAPER and CARDBOARD Diversified Contribution”.