Horti Sustainable
Packaging Initiative

Horti Sustainable Packaging Initiative (HSPI)

The Horti Sustainable Packaging Initiative (HSPI), consists of thirteen packaging manufacturers and suppliers within the floriculture sector, who work together to make packaging materials used for flowers and plants more sustainable. By intensively working together, our goal is to accelerate the transition to more environmentally friendly packaging, and to actively contribute to the sustainable future of the floriculture sector and maintain a healthy living environment.

We want to actively contribute to the sustainable future of the floriculture sector and maintain a healthy living environment.

Cooperation

We view intensive cooperation within the packaging chain as the key to taking greater steps towards making the packaging of flowers and plants more sustainable. We have set out our cooperation, ambitions and objectives in a declaration of intent.

The signatories and cooperating partners of HSPI are Broekhof verpakkingen, Dillewijn Zwapak, DecoWraps, Koen Pack, Chrysal International, Modiform, Twinpack, Desch-Plantpak, JBB Pack, FloraLife, Anylabel, Multi Supplies, Circular Plastics BV, Royal FloraHolland and Greenport Aalsmeer foundation. Greenport Aalsmeer, is an independent party which manages the program.

In connection with the market

The demand for sustainable packaging by consumers, governments, and our customers in the floriculture sector (growers and exporters) is increasing. The ambitions of the individual packaging companies affiliated with HSPI to work sustainably are also growing.

Our customers, led by the Dutch Flower Group, challenged us in 2023 to investigate how we could work cohesively to make packaging more sustainable. We enthusiastically took up that challenge with the establishment of the HSPI, and we will continue to seek connections with the entire floriculture chain, to achieve our objectives. Together we move forward!

Three aspects

Together we have set ourselves challenging objectives which anticipate future legislation and sector ambitions. These objectives were based on a feasibility study, which includes knowledge and expertise from various parties, from within and outside of the floriculture sector.

To realize our objectives, we are focusing on three aspects:

1. Supply chain transparency & certification

2. Circularity in materials and packaging

3. Carbon Footprint and life cycle assessments

In order to achieve the set goals, three working groups within the HSPI have been set up, each focusing on a different aspect. These working groups aim to gather information, develop set standards, and provide tools to the HSPI participants to help them meet the company goals:

  • Basket of Standards: the 'Basket of Standards' will be launched at the end of November: a set of existing certificates from internationally recognized organizations that helps companies to certify and guarantee the sustainability of their packaging. These standards provide more transparency and offer buyers the opportunity to make informed, sustainable choices. Examples: the use of certified recycled plastic or packaging that has been produced under good social conditions.

  • Preparation for PPWR legislation and knowledge development about export countries: the advisory document that this working group develops helps companies design packaging that is recyclable and, among other things, complies with European legislation, in view of the upcoming EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR). This document not only looks at the right choice of materials, but also at the actual recycling options in the countries where the products are sold so that companies can meet the requirements of recyclability and conditions for a circular economy.

  • Environmental footprint of packaging: packaging use is included in the footprint calculations according to the FloriPEFCR, which quantifies the environmental impact of flowers and plants in floriculture. HSPI wants to contribute to new insights that enable companies to reduce their ecological footprint. Calculating a CO2 footprint provides insights to reduce impact. This working group shares and develops knowledge and skills to properly work with footprint calculations within your own company in order to make the right choices for sustainability.

HSPI has drawn up objectives which anticipate future legislation and sector ambitions

Would you also like to contribute to our ambitions?

Do you develop and/or supply packaging to the floriculture sector and would you like to contribute to the realization of our sustainability ambitions? Then register with our initiative, we would be happy to discuss it with you.. Please contact Herold Dongelmans from Greenport Aalsmeer.