PEFC will be promoting the benefits of responsibly-sourced packaging materials.

PEFC Chain of Custody certification helps packaging companies demonstrate that they are sourcing raw materials from well- managed forests. This enables them to differentiate their products in the market place and gain recognition for their commitment to sustainable sourcing.

One such company is Delta Packaging, the Belfast-based independent printed folding carton packaging manufacturer. Earlier this year, Delta won a Global Connectivity award at a KFC Supplier event, for successfully switching KFC restaurant packaging to PEFC certified board.

Delta Packaging won the award in recognition of the company’s swift and effective transfer of KFC raw material to the PEFC process, in order to provide assurances that KFC’s packaging materials originate from sustainably-managed forests. Using certified materials has enabled KFC to apply the PEFC logo onto their packaging since the turn of the year. The company was presented with the Global Connectivity awards at the KFC Annual Supplier Awards in March.

Another packaging products producer that has recognised the benefits of Chain of Custody certification is Benders Paper Cups, who are one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of paper hot cups. It was recently approached by Connect Vending, one of the leading independent vending operators in England, who enlisted its help to facilitate the business’s transition to 100% paper hot cups for their range of hot drinks vending machines.

Connect Vending approached Benders looking to invest in a paper cup solution for their customers, which would offer what it called the “specialty coffee shop experience” of a paper cup, complete with bespoke branding and a quality feel, from the convenience of a vending machine.

Benders Paper Cups said it is committed to only using certified raw materials from responsible sources and has both PEFC and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody certification, providing full traceability for all paper cups manufactured from materials sourced from sustainably-managed forests. The company also endorses the Connect Vending strategy.

Every cup can be traced back from Benders BRC, Grade-A production facility in North Wales to the raw material. Connect Vending have developed their own print with Benders to promote the ‘green story’ of their cup, right up to encouraging consumers to dispose of the cup so that it can be collected and 100% recycled.