FBCA Highlights 4Evergreen’s Updated Fiber-Based Packaging Recyclability Protocol
March 10, 2025
The Food and Beverage Carton Alliance (FBCA) is highlighting the launch of 4evergreen’s Recyclability Evaluation Protocol, a groundbreaking tool aimed at advancing the recycling efficiency of fiber-based packaging, where food and beverage cartons have an essential role. This initiative represents a major step forward in ensuring that fiber-based packaging remains a sustainable, low-carbon, and circular solution for the food and beverage industry.
FBCA members - including Billerud, Elopak, SIG, Stora Enso, and Tetra Pak - have been actively engaged in 4evergreen’s work, helping to shape industry-wide standards that enhance recyclability and drive systemic improvements across the entire packaging value chain. The Recyclability Evaluation Protocol builds upon three laboratory test methods, covering different recycling processes:
- Part I: Recycling mills with conventional processes.
- Part II: Recycling mills with flotation-deinking processes.
- Part III: Recycling mills with specialized processes for Used Beverage Cartons (UBC).
By establishing a harmonized, science-based approach, this protocol ensures that fiber-based packaging materials can be effectively recycled into high-quality raw materials, supporting a low-carbon circular economy.
Raymond De Schrevel, Global Circularity Business Development Manager at FBCA (formerly EXTR:ACT), who co-led the Part III work stream on Used Beverage Cartons (UBC), underscored the critical role of the protocol:
"This protocol is a major step forward in establishing a common, science-based standard for assessing the recyclability of fiber-based composite packaging. By integrating technical evaluations with a system-wide perspective, we ensure that each stage of the recycling process - from collection to valorization - is optimized for efficiency and sustainability. However, our work does not stop here. Industry stakeholders must continue collaborating, implementing these guidelines, and refining them over time”.
This milestone reinforces FBCA’s commitment to science-driven solutions that accelerate the transition toward a fully circular and low-carbon future for fiber-based packaging. As the industry moves forward, FBCA and its members will continue to champion innovation, collaboration, and responsible packaging practices that benefit both consumers and the environment.
Learn more about the updated protocol
