Blog
27 Apr 2026
Turning policy into practice – delivering high performance recycling in Europe
By Steve Claus, Secretary General of Steel for Packaging Europe
As Europe enters the implementation phase of its Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and prepares for the Circular Econom...
27 Apr 2026
Rethinking EPR – why net cost and fairness are key to Europe’s circular future
By Steve Claus, Secretary General of Steel for Packaging Europe
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the policy approach whereby product producers are made responsible for the end-of-life of the...
27 Apr 2026
From vision to reality – circularity is a strategic imperative for Europe
By Steve Claus, Secretary General Steel for Packaging Europe
At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty and resource constraints, Europe’s transition to a circular economy is no longer just an...
09 Dec 2025
Recyclability is the leading sustainability driver for consumers
by Steve Claus, Secretary General, Steel for Packaging Europe
Recyclability of packaging is the most important sustainability factor influencing consumer purchases, according to the latest McKinse...
11 Sep 2025
Our priorities to safeguard EU steel
By Steve Claus, Secretary General, Steel for Packaging Europe
The European Commission has committed to proposing a new measure to replace the EU’s existing steel safeguards, which will legall...
20 Mar 2025
Tackling greenwashing through the Green Claims Directive – the importance of reporting real recycling
By Steve Claus, Secretary General, Steel for Packaging Europe
In my two previous articles, I highlighted the damaging effect of misleading environmental claims on consumer trust, and the negative...
21 Feb 2025
Tackling greenwashing through the Green Claims Directive – the case of CO2 equivalent emissions comparisons in packaging
By Steve Claus, Secretary General, Steel for Packaging Europe
In my last article, I emphasised the importance of ensuring that environmental claims are transparent, substantiated and based on relia...
13 Feb 2025
Tackling greenwashing and ensuring transparency in packaging through the Green Claims Directive
By Steve Claus, Secretary General, Steel for Packaging Europe
Steel for Packaging Europe (SfPE) has reiterated its support for the Green Claims Directive (GCD) and the importance of ensuring that e...
09 Dec 2024
Circular Economy Act: what should the priorities be?
by Steve Claus, Secretary General of Steel for Packaging Europe
Since the adoption of the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the EU has intensified its f...
20 Feb 2024
Preserving flavour and curbing waste – the Steel solution to food sustainability
Food waste is a global crisis with severe environmental consequences, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and depleting precious resources. Astonishingly, 46% of food waste is generated during t...
12 Feb 2024
The Steel solution to reducing food packaging waste
The food packaging industry has a pivotal role to play in reducing the amount of packaging waste sent to landfill. Despite the growing urgency surrounding plastic waste pollution, a staggering 37% of...
09 Oct 2023
Reducing food waste with Steel Packaging: a sustainable solution for a more circular future
As a proven packaging format and a model material for a circular economy, steel packaging is set to play a vital role in the fight against food waste. And make no mistake, reducing food waste is one o...
05 May 2022
Why involving consumers is key to closing the loop of Steel Packaging recycling
By Alexis Van Maercke
Optimised separate collection is our preferred route to increase both the quantity and quality of recycling, as extensively covered in our latest report Why Steel Recycles For...
29 Apr 2022
The importance of defining quality standards for steel packaging scrap
By Alexis Van Maercke
On 1st February during our conference From Vision to Reality; Closing the loop on steel packaging, we launched our new report How to recycle steel – Why steel packaging recy...
19 Apr 2022
Why pre-treatment before incineration is a pre-requisite for increased recycling
By Alexis Van Maercke
Our conference From Vision to Reality; Closing the loop on steel packaging on 1st February, launched our new report How to recycle steel – Why steel packaging recycles forev...
07 Apr 2022
Why we recommend strengthening EU policy to ensure no recyclable packaging goes to landfill
By Alexis Van Maercke
On 1st February during our conference From Vision to Reality; Closing the loop on steel packaging, we launched our new report How to recycle steel – Why steel packaging recy...
04 Apr 2022
Why optimised separate collection of steel packaging waste is APEAL’s preferred route for increased recycling
By Alexis Van Maercke
On 1st February we launched our new report How to recycle steel – Why steel packaging recycles forever, at a conference organised in partnership with Parliament Magazine, Fr...
04 Apr 2022
The importance of second overband magnets in sorting plants
By Alexis Van Maercke
On 1st February during our conference From Vision to Reality; Closing the loop on steel packaging, we launched our new report How to recycle steel – Why steel packaging recy...
24 Feb 2022
From vision to reality: closing the loop on steel packaging in Europe
by Alexis Van Maercke, Secretary General of APEAL
“Our Circular economy agenda is all about keeping products and materials for as long as possible in the economy,” said European Commissioner fo...
11 Jan 2022
Launch of consumer campaign
By Alexis Van Maercke
We’re excited to announce the launch of a new campaign that will help communicate the benefits of steel packaging to a wider audience than ever before.
For many years APE...
29 Nov 2021
Hexavalent chromium-free passivation alternative is ready for adoption
By Alexis Van Maercke, Secretary General.
Some hexavalent chromium compounds have been designated as Substances of Very High Concern in the EU. As a result, they were placed on the REACH Authorisat...
09 Apr 2021
Steel for Packaging Week continues due to popular demand
By: Viliam Gašpar, president of APEAL
Thank you to everyone who visited Steel for Packaging Week, APEAL’s first virtual event, and for the positive feedback as well as questions about steel pack...
23 Feb 2021
Steel for packaging and the European Green Deal: a circular success story
By Alexis Van Maercke, Secretary General.
The European Green Deal aims to turn Europe into the first climate-neutral continent by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
Brand...
26 Oct 2020
How steel can help you do more with less
The European Green Deal aims to turn Europe into the first climate-neutral continent by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
To achieve this ambitious goal, it is essential to...
