Parkside renews Cré accreditation

Cré certification accredits packaging to rigorous EU standards and tests them in an Irish industrial composting plant to ensure they are suitable for Irish conditions, climate, and infrastructure. The accreditation ensures Irish consumers that packaging is demonstrably sustainable and can be placed into existing waste streams. 

‘New legislation and an increased drive towards sustainability are resulting in many plastic substrates being phased out of the packaging,’ commented Paul McKeown, divisional sales director for specialty at Parkside. ‘We’re moving far away from linear and outdated take, make, waste models, which is fantastic for the industry at large.  

‘As a leading name in sustainable flexible packaging, this means we need to prove to our customers that they are utilizing sustainable solutions, such as compostable packaging, that make a real difference. Having the Cré logo on our packaging demonstrates that we’re playing our part in making sustainability more meaningful.  

‘Renewing our Cré accreditation was an important goal for Parkside as we continue to expand our presence in the Irish market. It demonstrates our strong long-term focus on packaging solutions that work for brands and shoppers alike.’

To be certified compostable by Cré, suitable biopolymer materials must first be accredited by TUV (formerly Vincotte), the accrediting body for Europe, and then undergo stringent testing by the awarding body to EU standards. 

‘The Cré accreditation gives true recognition to our innovative compostable packaging, and it’s also added peace of mind for our customers. Our success in this area means that environmentally aware brand owners, retailers and consumers across Ireland have a choice of high barrier packs that can be disposed of in a composting environment,” added McKeown.

Following its accreditation's successful tests and renewal, Parkside can continue using the Cré logo on its bio-based packaging sold in Ireland to help consumers and councils recognize compostable packaging material and dispose of it accordingly. 

The compostable packaging created by Parkside forms part of its award-winning sustainability portfolio and is fully home and industrially compostable, breaking down completely within 26 weeks. The packaging is also tested for eco-toxicity and other criteria against EN 13432 regulations.