About Plastics & Flexible Packaging Group
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The BPF Plastics and Flexible Packaging Group represents UK manufacturers of all types of plastic packaging including flexible pouches, films and bags, pots, tubs trays, containers, bottles, drums, boxes, cups , food and services, vending packaging, baby products and protection packaging The Group Members are leaders in their respective field and have a track record of reliable service and meeting the highest possible standards. For further information on the services provided by Packaging Group Members, please see the BPF Packaging Group Buyers' Guide. |
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Packaging Group Management Committee
The BPF Packaging Group has an active Group Management Committee Chaired by Bruce Margetts, General Manager of Bericap. The Committee meets at least four times annually. Drawing upon the BPF's ethos of 'Stronger Together', the Group is happy to welcome any BPF Packaging Group Member to the Committee.
The Committee is charged with raising the profile of plastics packaging and its benefits to society and the environment. Working in close co-operation with the BPF staff team it originates, develops and supervises the implementation of programmes to this effect which meet the needs and expectations of member firms. The programmes devised involve campaigns, one off events, political lobbying (such as the BPF Political Contact Programme) and individual initiatives. Where appropriate the activity programmes can involve or are shared with other BPF Membership Groups. From time-to-time sub-groups or working parties are formed to discuss specific issues facing the industry. This includes the technical group that meets 3 times a year and a health a safety working group.
One example of initiatives actioned by the Group is a YouGov survey carried out in order to understand consumer attitudes towards plastics packaging. During 2014 this was completed and a booklet was produced, named ‘Plastics Packaging: The Consumer’s View’, which was launched at the annual BPF Packaging Seminar.
In addition to informing consumers about the benefits of the plastics packaging they are using, the Group is passionate about informing Local Authorities and Government Agencies about the positive environmental impact plastics packaging has. As a result, the Group produced a booklet called 'Plastics Packaging: The Progressive Packaging Medium'.
The Group recognises the vital role the media plays in how consumers perceive plastics packaging. Collating all of their expertise and using interesting case studies from Member companies, the Group have created a position statements page on their microsite. Here journalists and other media bodies can access information on the Group's stance on issues such as marine litter, the safety of chemicals in plastics packaging and plastics packaging recycling.
As social media posesses a rapidly increasing important function within the industry, the Group collaborated with charity Sense About Science for a Twitter Q&A about plastics packaging. The one hour session proved to be very successful, with a great deal of engagement and questions posed to the panel highlighting the integral role plastics packaging plays in the lives of consumers.
The BPF are keen to get involved with UK Government consultations. The Packaging Group provided data and support to the Plastic Flow 2014 report, which was actioned in order to estimate the amount of plastics packaging being placed on the market following the Government’s over-ambitious recycling targets for 2017. In the wake of the announcement to set the recycling targets so high, the BPF (along with PAFA and Plastics Europe) launched the Plastics Industry Recycling Action Plan (PIRAP). The document sets out the commitment and plans of UK companies to meet recycling targets for plastic packaging waste and achieve wider economic environmental aims through a series of focused actions.
The BPF’s involvement with consultations that impact industry is not solely contained to UK Government as the Federation released a statement about the EU’s Circular Economy Package, which took the views and interests of the Packaging Group into consideration.
Searchable BPF Member's Directory
The BPF Members Directory (featuring a detailed breakdown of over 100 different machine types, by suppliers) can be downloaded HERE and viewed online below.
