FEDEMCO and Interfresa sign an agreement to foster circular economy

• Effective until 2025, the new agreement will promote sustainable development, training on packaging and best sector practices
• It was signed during the VIII International Berry Fruit Congress held in Huelva on 20th and 21st June

The Spanish Federation of Wooden Light Weight Packaging and their Components, FEDEMCO, and the Andalusian interprofessional strawberry association, Interfresa, have signed a new collaboration agreement. The agreement arose out of the need to work together to comply with the new national and European regulations on packaging and waste management.

“The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation makes working shoulder to shoulder with fruit and vegetable producers more important than ever. Huelva’s berry fruit sector is of great importance to Spanish wood packaging and that’s why we’d like to be right by their side during this transition towards a more sustainable economic model. Moreover, and as already mentioned by Interfresa, it’s essential to our sectors for the information offered to be rigorous and based on technical production knowledge as concerns the products and the packaging,” said Emilio Laguna, a member of the FEDEMCO executive committee and signatory on behalf of the federation.

“Renewing the agreement with FEDEMCO is one step further towards Huelva’s berry fruit sector’s goal of working for sustainability and best trade practices. Wood is an essential raw material in the packaging of our products. We must have all guarantees that this packaging, which is a cover letter for our fruit in the markets, is produced in compliance with the strictest of sustainability standards and, of course, all labelling regulations so the information is accurate and accessible to consumers,” said José Luis García-Palacios, President of Interfresa.

The agreement, which was made official in Huelva, provides for the organization of training on packaging materials, the promotion of best sector practices, the fight against infiltration in commercial practices as well as the fight against unfair trade practices in their respective areas. Guaranteeing a circular economy model that ensures the recyclability of packaging placed on the market is the ultimate objective.

As far as the manufacture and production of wood packaging for commercial purposes, both organizations will guarantee compliance with food safety requirements. “It’s essential for packaging to be properly registered with the public health authorities, have technical packaged product data sheets, be GROW and NIMF-15 certified, and come with the corresponding product traceability,” indicated Laguna. “At FEDEMCO, we help our customers by facilitating their compliance with the new law. That’s why we’ve developed our own certification system known as ECOWOOX. This certification for wood packaging guarantees recyclability, thus allowing our customers to reach the recyclability index required by European law,” he added.

The most sustainable packaging

Wood is a 100% biodegradable and recyclable raw material with a negative carbon footprint and minimal water footprint which means it’s the most sustainable form of packaging.