Engaging with different audiences at high-level events is key to increasing understanding of steel as a model material for a circular economy and a contributor to brand success.
January’s Aerosol & Dispensing Forum in Paris, was an opportunity for Alexis Van Maercke to give an overview of the advances made within European legislation for the promotion of the circular economy and the transition from a linear economy.
In March, APEAL was proud to support the Netherlands Packaging Centre’s conference at Cologne’s Anuga FoodTec “Fighting food waste together”, discussing the many different ways in which packaging may help in preventing food waste with other thought leaders in the food and packaging industry.
Also in March, APEAL President Stéphane Tondo addressed the audience of Packaging & Converting Executive Forum in Amsterdam whilst Alexis shared his insight on demonstrating ‘thought leadership’ and gaining visibility for an association at the Associations World Congress in Antwerp.
At June’s EU Packaging Waste & Sustainability Forum in Brussels, Alexis released the 2016 steel recycling rate (79,5% in 2006, latest available figures) and joined a panel to discuss what steel is doing to achieve the new CEP recycling targets.
Packaged 2018 in Amsterdam was another opportunity for Stéphane Tondo to present how a “traditional” material such as steel can be source of both innovation and sustainability.
At the Brussels MEP Awards ceremony organised by The Parliament Magazine, Alexis was honoured to present the award for Environment to Nils Torvalds MEP.
At FEA’s global aerosol event in October Stéphane Tondo joined a roundtable discussion focused on closing the loop on aerosols through greater recycling, to explain how steel aerosols are collected, sorted & recycled and how steel is the most recycled aerosol packaging material in Europe, 79,5% in 2016 (latest available figures).
October’s Beverage Packaging Congress in Brussels was the perfect environment for APEAL to present and discuss the recent campaign launched by global steel producers to increase consumer awareness of the environmental benefits of steel beverage cans.
And finally Sustainability in Packaging (Barcelona) at the end of October was the year’s last opportunity for APEAL to host a wide audience of packaging professionals at its stand. Whilst Stéphane Tondo demonstrated how, with consumers becoming advocates for sustainability, using “really recycled” rather than “recyclable” materials can be an effective marketing asset for brands.
