A cross-section of the industry came together at the St Bride Foundation building, on 25th July, to share thoughts and knowledge on the issue of single use plastic packaging.
Highlighted in the recent BBC series ‘Blue Planet’ by Sir David Attenborough, public concern has heightened sharply over the impact of plastic on the environment. High profile companies from many different sectors have joined initiatives like the Plastic Pact to try and reduce the amount of unnecessary single use plastic and to make products easier to recycle.
BOSS was asked by a number of its members to see if it could raise awareness of the issue within the industry and to encourage best practice in all areas of the supply chain. A meeting was facilitated of interested parties and a breadth of industry stakeholders was represented with individuals from manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, merchants, dealer groups, special interest groups and dealers all attending.
Julie Hawley from Office Friendly said, “our industry needs to be at the forefront of some of these topical issues, identifying, educating and even influencing change where it is needed. The BOSS Federation, as our governing body, is the organisation who is instrumental to this and I have welcomed the opportunity to be able to be part of this ‘single use plastics’ committee. After our first meeting we have come away with a clear set of objectives and a method of working collectively to make a difference.”
The agenda featured discussion on topics including recyclability, the capturing of relevant data, modern day slavery and the impact of demand for paper products on pulp prices.
The group agreed that their terms of reference would include:
- Defining what the industry considers single use plastic packaging to be, in transit packaging and for products
- Educating themselves and others on information and issues relating to this area of public concern
- Standardising where possible to allow for common data gathering and reporting and liaising with the BOSS Synergy Standards committee
- Improving by encouraging compliance with agreed best practice
- Lobbying by using industry and government contacts to influence both legislation and the industry as a whole
If as a BOSS member you would like copies of the minutes of this meeting or would like to get involved by attending the next meeting of this group in November, please contact Chief Executive, Philip Lawson.
BOSS would like to thank Tony Bellis from 3M, Ian Whitcombe from Antalis, Adam Miller and Andrew McKenzie from Commercial, Toby Robbins from Office Club, Julie Hawley from Office Friendly, Graham Craik from the WIA and Pentel and the recently promoted Debbie Nice from VOW for their time, interest and commitment in getting this BOSS special interest group started.
