Preparing Your Methodology

The Packaging regulations state that your data submissions to a compliance scheme must be ‘as accurate as reasonably possible’.  It is therefore critical that you have a defined methodology for collating your packaging data.

Co2 Compliance can help you choose the most efficient, cost-effective data collation methodology from the following options:

  • Supplier – you packaging supplier will have weights for all packaging supplied to you
  • Sample Weights – weighing packaging to determine an average weight for use
  • Sales Records – total packaging weight can be calculated using comprehensive sales records
  • Weighing All Packaging – as stated
  • Trade Association Protocol – utilising recognised trade agreed protocols to compile data submissions
  • Other – your own methodology.  A detailed explanation will be required

NB all methods must be accompanied by a specific statement detailing how packaging data has been collated

Data submission has become increasingly onerous since 1997 when it was acceptable to simply provide a rough estimate of packaging handled. Now provision of accurate data is part of the registration obligation and producers must provide data that is the best that can be reasonably obtained.  Co2 Compliance is expected to ensure its members provide robust data.

Example

In 1997 a supplier of yogurt could simply take the weight of a whole yogurt pot (including lid), multiply that by the average number handled in a month X 12.  Today that same supplier will be expected to have a system that separates metals and plastics (i.e. plastic yogurt pot and metal lid) and counts tonnages on the basis of, for example, invoices, inward supplies of relevant materials, inventory lists.

Methods

There are six methods you can use in your methodology for collating your data:

  • Supplier – Your supplier is likely to have weights of all the packaging you’re supplied
  • Sample Weights – Weighing packaging to determine an average weight for use
  • Sales Records
  • Weighing all Packaging
  • Trade Association Protocol
  • Other – Your methodology must be outlined

Each of the methods must be accompanied by a specific statement detailing how your packaging data has been collated

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