Belgium-headquartered Pack2Go Europe, an NGO representing companies that manufacture packaging for the food and beverages consumed on-the-go in Europe, has announced it is launching a circular economy initiative for food and beverage service and convenience packaging.

The move comes following a general meeting of Pack2Go Euope's members in Brussels and aims to increase the amount of on-the-go food packaging that can be recycled.

Mike Turner of International Paper Foodservice Europe and current president of Pack2Go Europe says: “More and better out-of-home collection is the key to recycling our products once the consumer has finished her drink, snack or meal – whether that is in a restaurant setting or on-the-go – but we can’t make that happen alone. So Pack2Go Europe is announcing today its commitment to bring together key stakeholders in Europe next year. We’ll be calling on them to join us in a sustained initiative to tackle this challenge head on and take these packs into the circular model.”

Eamonn Bates, Pack2Go Europe Secretary General said: “Pack2Go Europe is calling on the European Parliament and EU member states – to amend EU waste legislation so that out-of-home collection of packaging will become a reality in the future. Ensuring everyone works together to separately collect and recycle is the circular approach; measures that will disrupt Europe’s single market are not the solution.”

Pack2Go Europe states that with key partners it can review how food and beverage service and convenience packaging can be more effectively collected, recovered and recycled.

The initiative will focus on two main out-of-home areas, the first being in restaurants, canteens and premises where vending machines operate, and the second being in public spaces in towns and countryside.